General5 Things That Affect Life Expectancy Rates

Life expectancy rates continue to change because of medical advances and scientific studies. Despite people living longer than they did 100 years ago, they still have health issues that make their later years less comfortable. As infant mortality rates have declined over the century, other problems affect life expectancy rates.

Drug and alcohol use

Researchers continue to investigate how drugs affect life expectancy. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and drug use often increase mortality rates. People who abuse drugs and alcohol often have other related problems that put them in the hospital. Car accidents, overdoses, and heart problems related to drug and alcohol abuse can lower life expectancy.

Education

Studies show that educated people make more money than those less educated who did not graduate from college. Having a higher socio-economic status and a college degree improves life expectancy rates. Research shows that people with a bachelor’s degree live longer than those without. Those with only a high-school diploma live fewer years than those with advanced degrees.

People who have more education are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. They also are less likely to use tobacco and be obese, which are all reasons that contribute to why people die young. When people have more education, they make more money, so they can also provide a better quality of life for their children, giving them an advantage over children born into lower-income families.

Prenatal and child-rearing

Pregnant women who do not have access to quality prenatal care deliver babies with lower life expectancy rates. Longevity begins early, so in-utero and newborn babies need to receive health care and parental care to help them live long, healthy lives.

Along with prenatal and early-childhood care, where children grow up affects longevity rates. Actuaries looking into longevity rates have been studying the differences between growing up in rural or urban areas.

Relationships

Married people tend to live longer than people who are not married. Married people also live longer than people who are divorced or widowed. The research shows that being married helps people maintain their cardiac health.

Studies show that people in strong relationships have fewer health problems, so they live longer than people who feel isolated from their community, friends, and family.

The research shows that having healthy relationships is akin to having a healthy diet and sleeping well. People without friendships often end up with early mortality rates similar to those who smoke or abuse drugs.

Medical advances

Recent advances in health care have helped increase life expectancy rates. Antibiotics and vaccines fight diseases that once took the lives of children and young adults. Other advances that have improved life expectancy rates include surgeries, imaging technology, and diagnostic methods.

Wrap up

In a century, life expectancy rates have increased thanks to a better understanding of the human body and its physical, emotional, and mental health needs. Researchers in health care and insurance continue to look for methods that help humans live longer and healthier lives.

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