In an insightful study published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS ONE, a team led by David Atance from Universidad de Alcalá, Spain, has shed new light on global mortality trends over the last three decades.
This research offers a novel perspective on how different regions around the world have evolved concerning mortality and longevity.
Image Credit: Evgeny Atamanenko via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci
Atance and his team embarked on an ambitious project to analyze how long people live and the causes of death around the world, using data from 194 countries sourced from the United Nations Populations Division.
Unlike traditional studies focusing solely on life expectancy at birth, this research delved into eight other mortality indicators, offering a more comprehensive view.
Five Clusters of Mortality
The study's most striking finding is the grouping of countries into five clusters. These clusters, which interestingly align roughly with the world's continents, show distinct trajectories in terms of mortality and longevity.
However, a common thread runs through these clusters: an overall increase in life expectancy and a narrowing of the mortality gap between genders.
Between 1990 and 2010, several countries shifted between these clusters, often influenced by factors like wars, socio-economic conditions, and political changes. This dynamic nature highlights the complexity of global health and mortality patterns.
Suggested article: Health Check: why do women live longer than men? (Universal-Sci)
Forward-Looking Insights
One of the significant contributions of Atance's work is its forward-looking approach. The research doesn't just analyze past and present trends; it also makes projections for 2030.
These projections suggest the continuation of current trends, including rising life expectancies and decreasing gender disparities in mortality.
Conclusion: A New Understanding
The study marks a significant step in understanding the historical evolution of mortality trends. It not only provides a snapshot of the past thirty years but also offers valuable insights into future developments and could help policymakers, health professionals, and researchers in shaping future health strategies and understanding the global landscape of mortality and longevity.
In essence, this study serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnected world, where health trends in one region can inform and influence global patterns. It's a call to continue collaborative efforts in understanding and improving global health.
As mentioned in the introduction of this article, the scientists published their findings in the PLOS ONE. For those interested, there's a link below this article.
Sources and further reading:
Health Check: why do women live longer than men? (Universal-Sci)
Scientists linked habitual tea drinking with an increased life expectancy (Universal-Sci)
Can ageing really be ‘treated’ or ‘cured’? An evolutionary biologist explains (Universal-Sci)
Convergence and divergence in mortality: A global study from 1990 to 2030 (PLOS ONE)
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