Since the 1950s, the gaps in life expectancy have widened in Europe. A phenomenon particularly observed in France, according to a recent report.
While the life expectancy of men and women has increased and inequalities have diminished since the end of the 19th century, a reverse phenomenon has tended to take shape since the 1950s. recent report from Cass Business School and the International Longevity Center UK, the pace of improvement in life expectancy seems to be slowing down and no longer leading to a reduction in inequalities in England, Wales, France and Italy.
Over the past two centuries, Europe has been devastated by epidemics like the Spanish flu and shattered by two world wars. However, the life expectancy of adults has continued to increase thanks to massive vaccination campaigns, the development of antibiotics, access to drinking water and an increase in living standards. This improvement will benefit all populations, rich or poor.
However, the analysis of British researchers reveals for the first time since 1870 that a gap is widening between the longest and the shortest lifespans, even though the British are living longer than ever before (5% of men Britons who turn 30 live on average to 96 years, a woman lives to 98.2 years). “Despite the general increase in life expectancy after 1950, the gap between men and women has widened as inequalities in terms of lifespan persist rather than diminish,” notes Les Mayhew, l one of the authors of the report An investigation into inequalities in adult lifespan.
Tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet
The authors believe that this growing disparity – observed in particular between the poor and the rich – is linked to the evolution of our lifestyles. Smoking, alcohol, poor diet are the bedrock of chronic pathologies. Avoidable risk factors for mortality which are more represented in the poorest classes of society.
But this phenomenon is not unique to Great Britain. By comparing the life expectancy of the French and Italians to the English and Welsh, the researchers observed that life expectancy at age 30 in England and Wales is currently higher than in France or Italy. However, French women live longer than their European neighbors. A life expectancy which greatly improved before the 1950s and which continues to increase.
France, donkey hat
In addition, this comparison suggests that inequalities in life expectancy between French men are greater than in England or Wales. For men, this gap is currently 37.0 years in France, while it is 33.3 years in England and Wales, and only 31.7 years in Italy. On the women’s side, Italy is a good student with a gap of 28.2 years, while it is 30.6 years in France and 31.0 years in England and Wales.
Finally, by comparing the gap between the sexes, the researchers noted that it is much larger in our country than in our neighbors, and that it continues to widen.
To reverse the phenomenon, the authors believe that it is necessary to promote a change in lifestyle through the adoption of more powerful political tools. “This timely report highlights how, despite a significant increase in life expectancy, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening for the first time since the 1870s.
This trend is of particular concern to society, and policymakers need to do more to narrow this gap again. Tackling inequalities in health and disability must be a political priority, ”concludes Sally Greengross, Managing Director of the International Longevity Center UK.
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