answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A variety of reasons could explain this. As medical technology advances, people live longer. Drugs and medications are created to help fight illness which further increases health. More knowledge is known on how to live longer and healthier as well. A lot just has to do with advances in technology.

AnswerThe #1 reason that people live longer in developer countries is something very simple: reliable, clean drinking water. The #2 reason is also very simple: very high levels of public hygiene, particularly good sewage systems and universal access to clothes and personal washing (i.e. clothes washers and showers). These two factors account for the vast majority of increased life expectancy vs the developing world. Well afterward is good nutrition in the pre-natal, infant, and childhood periods. Next would be almost universal vaccination to all common diseases. Next would be the significant increase in quality and timely access to trauma care (i.e. the ability to save people from common accidents). A very last on that list is the myriad of new drug treatments for various chronic conditions.

Here's the breakdown: a person in the developed countries lives about twice as long as one in the developing world (80+ years vs 40+). So, on average, a developed world person has a bit more than 30 additional years due to the above factors.

About 20 of those years are due to pure drinking water and good sewage. About 8 more are due to either better nutrition or universal vaccination. Another 2-3 or so come from better accident/emergency treatment (which includes common emergency illnesses, like appendicitis). Finally, maybe 1-2 comes from new drugs.

For the most part, new drugs DON'T increase life expectancy. However, they do significantly improve quality-of-life. This is due to most new drugs not curing things, but rather treating things. That is, most modern medicine is palliative, not curative.

Much of the reason behind this is economics: we're already discovered cures for those diseases which were cheapest to cure, and the research for cures for the remaining diseases is massively expensive and difficult. In addition, a treatment for a disease gives recurring revenue to the treatment creator (i.e. you get $$ per does of the treatment, for a potentially very large number of treatments), while curing a disease results in a single (or few) number of payments for the cure. Thus, the revenue stream for treatment is significantly better than cures. So, profit-driven companies look for treatments instead of cures, as it's a far better economic bet for the company.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

That's mainly the result of reduced infant mortality. Only a relatively small part of the growth
in actuarial, statistical life expectancy is the result of prolonging life at the other end.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why has life expectancy increased in developed countries?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why is life expectancy lower in developing countries than in developed countries?

uytyu


Why is the male life expectancy in Russia lower than other developed countries?

uytyu


How does medicine have affected how long you live?

It has increased the life expectancy of most countries by approximately 50%.


What is the difference between an less economically developed country and an more economically developed country?

difference between life expectancy in developed and underdeveloped countries


What is the life expectancy in modern time?

Depends where you are. For the most part, life expectancy in the developed world is about 80 years. For those classified as partially developed countries, perhaps 60 years. For those still in the developing world, 40 years.


Why do developed countries have a greater percentage of people over the age 65 than developing countries?

Developed countries typically have lower birth rates and higher life expectancy due to advanced healthcare and better living conditions. This demographic shift leads to an aging population compared to developing countries, where higher birth rates and lower life expectancy contribute to a younger population overall.


Do Citizens in the US have the longest life expectancy when compared to all other countries in the world?

The Japanese have the longest life expectancy in the world, not the US. The US rates closer to 34th-36th in nations of the world in terms of life expectancy, one of the lower rate among the developed world.


Is life expectancy a good way to compare countries?

Yes, because it helps to provide an overall view of the state that country is in - developed or developing.


What is the lide expectancy in the 2000s?

In the 2000s, life expectancy varied depending on the country and region. Globally, life expectancy increased due to advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and technology. On average, it was around 67.2 years in 2000 and increased to about 72 years by the end of the decade.


How can you use the wordlife expectancy in a sentence?

Life expectancy is an abstract noun which means predicted lifespan. Thus it can be used in the following possible sentences:The average life expectancy for a man today is 74 years.If you smoke, your life expectancy goes down by 5 years.The invention of antibiotics increased life expectancy more than any other breakthrough.


Does life expectancy vary by life?

Yes, life expectancy can vary by country, region, gender, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors. Generally, more developed countries tend to have higher life expectancies compared to less developed countries. Healthy lifestyle habits such as staying active, not smoking, and maintaining a balanced diet can also contribute to a longer life expectancy.


What is life expectancy for someone born in 1985?

The life expectancy for someone born in 1985 is around 73-75 years in most developed countries. However, individual factors such as lifestyle choices, genetics, and access to healthcare can influence a person's actual lifespan.