Where You Live Affects How Long You’ll Live
- A new global study reveals a striking reality: Your chances of living past age 70 still depend heavily on where you live.
- even with modern medicine, vaccines, and artificial intelligence helping to diagnose diseases early, the risk of dying before age 70-known as probability of premature death (PPD)-still varies widely...
- In 2019, just 12% of people in the world's healthiest countries died before age 70.
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Were You Live Still Affects How Long You’ll Live
The Global Disparity in Lifespan
A new global study reveals a striking reality: Your chances of living past age 70 still depend heavily on where you live.
even with modern medicine, vaccines, and artificial intelligence helping to diagnose diseases early, the risk of dying before age 70-known as probability of premature death (PPD)-still varies widely around the world.
Key Findings from the Study
In 2019, just 12% of people in the world’s healthiest countries died before age 70. But in sub-Saharan Africa, that number was 52%, India’s rate was 37%, the United States stood at 22% and Western europe and Canada fared better at 15%, according to the study in JAMA health Forum.
Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine pulled data from the United Nations and the Human Mortality Database to examine how well countries are doing relative to their wealth. Rather of comparing death rates alone, they measured the world’s 30 most populous countries against the “global frontier”-the best case scenario for preventing early deaths.
“We expected disparities,” says the study’s lead author Omar karlsson, a scholar with the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at the Duke Global Health Institute. “What was surprising was just how extremely uneven mortality decline has been across the world.”
Comparative PPD rates (2019)
| Region | Probability of Premature Death (PPD) |
|---|---|
| World’s Healthiest Countries | 12% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 52% |
| India | 37% |
| United States | 22% |
| Western Europe & Canada | 15% |
Japan: A Benchmark for Longevity
When it comes to longevity, Japan remains the place to be. As global PPD fell to 12%-a dramatic enhancement from 57% in 1900-Japan stood out, setting the benchmark among the world’s healthiest.
Several factors contribute to Japan’s success, including:
- Universal Healthcare: Access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for all citizens.
- Diet: A traditionally healthy diet rich in fish, vegetables, and soy products.
- Lifestyle: Emphasis on physical activity and social connection.
- Public Health Initiatives: Strong public health programs focused on preventative care.