Global life expectancy increases from 47 to 68 since 1950’s
Posted April 9, 2010 7:28 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
UNITED NATIONS – A new U.N. report says global life expectancy has increased sharply from 47 years in 1950-55 to 68 years in 2005-10.
The report issued Friday says people are living longer mainly because of improvements in nutrition and hygiene, and advances in vaccines and medical treatments against infectious and parasitic diseases.
With the decline in mortality more pronounced at younger ages, deaths have become increasingly concentrated at older ages when people are more likely to develop chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart and respiratory problems, the report said.
The report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be discussed at a meeting next week of the U.N. Commission on Population and Development.
