Life expectancy on the rise
By: Patrick Butler
UK Guardian, January 28, 2002
Social and technological changes mean that men and
women in England and Wales are living longer than ever before, new
statistics show. Males can expect to live until they are 75, while females
will on average live until they are over 79, according to the latest
official life expectancy statistics for England and Wales.
The figures show that men born between 1997 and 1999
will live on average nearly six years longer than those born 30 years ago,
while the corresponding figures for women show they will live just over
four years longer, the data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS)
reveals.
Traditional life expectancy differentials linked to
class status show that the rich will live longer - those in the
professional class, a group which includes doctors and accountants, can
expect to live to an average age of 78.5 years (men) and 82.8 years
(women).
Social class 2, which counts teachers, journalists,
and marketing and sales staff among its members will live on average to
77.5 years (men) and 81.5 (women).
Those born into the group defined as skilled manual
workers - such as carpenters and delivery van drivers - can expect to live
until for 74.7 years (men) and 79.2 years (women).
Professional class males can expect to live more than
seven years longer than their contemporaries born into the
"lowest" social class, which includes labourers and building
workers - although this differential has narrowed since the previous
study, in 1992-96, when the life expectancy gap was 9.5 years.
However, male life expectancy for unskilled working
class males, traditionally the lowest of all social groups, increased
faster than any other class. Those born in 1971 can expect to reach the
age of 66.5 years. By 1992-96 this increased to 68.2 years and by 1997-99
it was 71.1.
The ONS does not speculate on reasons for the
anticipated increase in average age. However, public health experts
suggest that contributory factors could include the decline in smoking,
better nutrition, a stronger economy and advances in medical science.
Geof Rayner, chairman of the UK Public Health
Association, warned that the figures did not necessarily mean people could
expect to enjoy a high quality of life for longer.
"With heart disease, for example mortality has
slowed but morbidity is rising," he said. "Acute medical
interventions are working, but people are being kept in a chronic state
for longer."
The ONS figures are based on a 1% representative
sample of the population of England and Wales which links census data from
1971 onwards with death registrations and other data.
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