Life expectancy: warning signs must not be ignored

摘要

Two linked studies make important contributions to debates about the sustainability of improvements in life expectancy in high income countries. Ho and Hendi report the significant decreases in life expectancy that occurred simultaneously in many high income countries, usually in 2015. This universal spike in mortality has often been attributed to the direct and indirect effects of severe flu epidemics, particularly among older people. The fact that modern healthcare systems in the most advanced high income countries were unable to cope with this unexpected challenge, resulting in the first reductions in longevity for decades, is strildng.