Decreasing life expectancy?

For several years now, figures from America and Europe have suggested that our life expectancy has reached a peak for the time being.

Life expectancy is an indicator of the health status of a population and is influenced by a variety of factors, including medical care, lifestyle and social security systems. While many countries are experiencing an increase in life expectancy, some regions are struggling with declines or stagnation. In this article, we look at the evolution of life expectancy over the past 20 years in Europe and the USA, examine the reasons for positive and negative trends and analyse specific challenges in selected countries.

Jeanne Calment and the Secret of Her Long Life

Jeanne Calment, the world's oldest verified person, lived until her 122nd birthday in 1997. Her impressive age has often been linked to her genetic makeup. However, she herself also stressed the importance of her lifestyle, which included a balanced diet, regular exercise and a positive attitude towards life. Calment regularly consumed olive oil, chocolate and a daily sip of red wine, maintained social contacts and lived an active life. These factors may have contributed to her exceptional longevity.

Life expectancy in Europe and the USA

The following table shows the development of life expectancy over the last 20 years for all European countries and the USA:

Reasons for positive developments in countries like Spain and Sweden

1. Mediterranean diet (Spain): The Spanish population benefits from a diet rich in olive oil, fish, vegetables and whole grains. This diet is known for its health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. A 2020 study showed that a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 30%.
2. Social equality and healthcare system (Sweden): Sweden has a strong public healthcare system that is equally accessible to all citizens. The Scandinavian countries are characterized by low social inequalities, which has a positive impact on the health of the population. According to a 2018 study, social security systems contribute significantly to higher life expectancy.
3. Low environmental impact (Iceland): Iceland, with its clean air and access to fresh food, has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. The low pollution and strong social safety net contribute to the health of the Icelandic population.

Challenges and negative developments in countries such as the USA, Bulgaria and Latvia

1. Opioid Crisis in the United States: The opioid crisis is a serious problem that is negatively affecting life expectancy in the United States. It began in the 1990s with overprescription of painkillers such as oxycodone and has evolved into a problem with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and illicit drugs such as heroin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths in the United States rose to over 93,000 in 2020, which is a significant cause of the decline in life expectancy. This crisis not only has direct health impacts, but also social and economic consequences that strain the healthcare system.
2. Economic and health challenges in Bulgaria: Bulgaria is one of the countries with the lowest life expectancy in Europe. The reasons for this are many: an underfunded health system, high unemployment and a high emigration rate of skilled workers, especially in the medical field. These factors lead to limited access to medical care and preventive measures. According to a study by the European Commission, life expectancy in Bulgaria is about five years below the EU average.
3. Latvia: Social and health inequalities: Social and health inequalities are a major problem in Latvia. A significant proportion of the population has limited access to health services and health spending is low compared to Europe. This leads to inadequate prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Life expectancy is comparatively low in Latvia, due to the combination of poor health care, economic problems and a high level of risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Problem case Poland on the right track

Poland has made significant progress in life expectancy over the past two decades, although it still lags behind many Western European countries. Average life expectancy increased from 73 years in 2000 to 78 years in 2020. This improvement is due to several factors:

1. Economic development: Economic transformation and integration into the European Union have led to an increase in living standards and better healthcare.
2. Health reforms: The introduction of health reforms and increased investment in the health system have improved access to healthcare. However, challenges remain, such as access to specialised treatments and health care financing.
3. Preventive measures: There have been efforts to strengthen disease prevention through national health promotion programs and vaccination campaigns. Nevertheless, chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases remain a challenge, negatively affecting life expectancy.

Conclusion: What we can learn from the developments

The analysis of life expectancy shows that many factors such as nutrition, health systems, social security and environmental influences are crucial. Countries such as Spain and Sweden have managed to maximize life expectancy through a combination of healthy lifestyles and strong social support. On the other hand, countries such as the USA, Bulgaria and Latvia struggle with specific challenges that negatively affect life expectancy.

The opioid crisis in the United States is an alarming example of how societal and health crises can affect life expectancy. The situation in Bulgaria and Latvia underscores the need for better access to health services and preventive measures.