In Europe, after 2011, many countries experienced a slowdown in the growth of life expectancy, at different speeds, however, depending on the country. This is what the results of a study published in Lancet Public Health Who compared the developments in life expectancy over three different periods (1990-2011, 2011-2019 and 2019-21) in 16 countries of the European Economic Area as well as in the United Kingdom. The study also explored the evolution of death causes and exposure to different risk factors.
« Since 1900, life expectancy has increased in countries with high income due, above all, progress in health and nutrition, and the reduction of infectious and non -transmitted diseases. However, since 2011, growth has slowed up to a sharp decline in 2020 due to high mortality linked to the COVVI-19 pandemic “Said group experts GBD 2021 Europe Life Expectancy Collaboratorsauthors of the article, who believe that recovery after this slowdown could be particularly difficult if the underlying causes remain unknown.
National figures, causes and differences
The analysis showed an average annual increase in life expectancy in all countries, both for the period 1990-2011 and for the following period (2011-2019), although the increase was slower over this second period. The overall average life expectancy increased by 0.23 years between 1990-2011, and 0.15 years between 2011-2019.
Only Norway showed an increase in life expectancy during these two periods, going from annual values of + 0.21 years between 1990-2011 to + 0.23 years between 2011-2019. In addition, the COVID -19 pandemic marked the step, resulting in a decrease in the growth of an average annual annual life expectancy in all countries (overall average of – 0.18 years). This reduction took place in all countries, with the exception of certain nations of northern Europe (Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark) where a slight improvement has been observed, and from Belgium, which has not recorded a variation.
As reported by the authors, progress in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the basis of the improvements observed between 1990-2011, while the reduction in the increase in life expectancy observed during the following period is attributable to deaths due to cardiovascular disease. The respiratory infections and the consequences of the COVVI-19 rather led to a decrease between 2019-2021. Exposure to risk factors responsible for the slowdown in the growth of life expectancy varies according to the country. However, an increase in the body mass index and a decrease in exposure to tobacco smoke were observed in all countries during the period 1990-2021.
« The increase in national life expectancy is associated with long -term political interventions. This suggests that governments can considerably influence the longevity of their population thanks to political choices that should include the management of economic determinants related to health, reduction in food risk, improvement in physical activity levels and assurance of access to effective health care for prevention and treatment », Conclude the authors.
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