Progress linked to healthy life expectancy, which had increased in recent years, would be threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Life expectancy at birth has increased in recent years
- The Covid-19 pandemic threatens this progress
- WHO makes recommendations “to all countries”
In France, life expectancy at birth is estimated at 79.8 years for men and 85.7 years for women, according to data from the National Institute for Demographic Studies (INED). Since 2008, this estimate has increased by 2 years and 2 months for men and by one year and three months for women.
“Since the middle of the 20and century, life expectancy at birth has increased by 3 months per year on average in France, going from 66.4 years for both sexes in 1950 to 82.5 years in 2018”can we read in the newscast of the month of March 2019 from INED.
The impact of the pandemic
A progression that we owe mainly to medical progress : “Mortality due to diseases of the heart and blood vessels has greatly decreased over the past half century thanks to the ‘cardiovascular revolution’ (…). As for cancer mortality, which had increased, it is now declining thanks to earlier diagnoses, improved treatments, and the reduction of risky behaviors such as smoking..”
Unfortunately, this progress would be threatened by the global pandemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO): “The good news is that people around the world are living healthier and better lives. The bad news is that progress is too slow to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and will slow further due to Covid-19”said in a communicated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO.
WHO recommendations “to all countries”
Faced with health challenges, the WHO recommends “to alls countries to invest in health systems and strong primary health care”the best strategy for defense according to her. In particular to strengthen vaccination coverage and prevention around non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and stroke.
“In 2016, these non-communicable diseases were responsible for 71% of all deaths globally, with the majority of the 15 million premature deaths (85%) occurring in low- and middle-income countries”, says the WHO. Coverage of services as well as health costs must also improve, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“As the world grapples with the worst pandemic in 100 years and just 10 years from the SDG deadline, we must act together to strengthen primary health care and focus on the most vulnerable in the world. between us to overcome the glaring inequalities that determine who can live long and healthy lives and who cannotconcludes Dr. Samira Asma, Deputy Director General at WHO. We will only achieve this by helping countries improve their data and health information systems.”
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