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Talking About the Future

Saloni Dattani on Life Expectancy

Mar 22, 2024
Global health researcher Saloni Dattani discusses life expectancy trends, advancements in microbiology, sanitation, and vaccines in wealthy nations. The impact of hygiene in reducing infant mortality rates, the influence of new drugs on obesity treatment, and exploring causes of death like strokes and future implications on life expectancy are also covered
41:40

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Life expectancy is influenced by comparing death rates across age groups to estimate average lifespan, reflecting historical advancements in medicine and public health.
  • Global sex gap in life expectancy highlights biological and societal factors contributing to women living longer than men, with initiatives targeting lifespan inequality essential for improving health outcomes.

Deep dives

Life Expectancy Definition and Measurement

Life expectancy is a metric that summarizes death rates across various age groups in a specific year, indicating the average lifespan of a hypothetical group facing similar death rates. This measure compares death rates at different ages to estimate average longevity. As an example, in France, a newborn in 2022 has a life expectancy of 82 years, assuming they face similar death rates as those in 2022. The assumption that future death rates will mirror current ones influences life expectancy metrics.

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