The life line crept up

Experts calculated the life expectancy of a Russian – and were surprised

Olga Nesterova, Trud newspaper, 09.04.2014

The good news is that over the past 20 years – from 1994 to 2013 - the average life expectancy in the country has increased by more than six years, or 9.4%. Such data are provided in the study "Prolonging Life", prepared by the ITAR-TASS research center and the independent Center for Social Economics.

Now, according to the Minister of Labor and Social Protection Maxim Topilin, the average life expectancy in the country is 70.5 years. In Moscow, it is much higher – 75.8 years. And Russia looks quite decent in this ranking: even if not in the top ten, but in 12th place among 81 countries.

Experts analyzed in which countries life lengthened faster and at the expense of what. In Estonia, for example, over the same 20 years, the life span increased by 15%, in Turkey and Latvia – by 13%. Singapore, South Korea, and India are not far behind.

In order for people to live longer, states are making certain efforts. Somewhere they are betting on a healthy lifestyle. In Singapore, for example, a campaign has been launched to combat excess weight. In India, according to researchers, such a simple measure as a ban on the sale of non-iodized salt gave an increase in life. And in Turkey, there is a restriction on smoking, for which cigarette sales are sharply reduced – almost 10 times. The share of smokers has decreased so far from only 31% to 27%, but it is important to take the first step in the right direction.

But, for example, in countries such as Moldova and Macedonia, life, on the contrary, is shortened. Why? In Moldova, for example, they drink a lot of alcohol – for every citizen aged 15 and over, there are 23 liters of pure alcohol per year. For comparison: in Italy – 9 liters each. However, it is impossible to single out any one factor affecting life expectancy. There's a whole complex here.

The social well-being of Russians, according to analysts, was naturally affected by the economic recovery after the collapse of privatization and the rise in oil prices, which filled the treasury and allowed to raise real incomes and living standards of the population. But a healthy lifestyle on our cold soil takes root hard, like a heat-loving sequoia. The government raises excise taxes on tobacco every year, but in Russia, according to the latest data, 59% of men and 24% of women over the age of 15 still smoke.

And there is a struggle with drunkenness – the minimum price of half a liter of vodka has risen to 200 rubles since the beginning of this year. But on average, every Russian, including teenagers and the elderly, takes more than 16 liters of pure alcohol per year. Less than in Moldova? But this is a small consolation.

Hence, one of the main demographic problems that analysts have noted is male mortality. The gap between the life expectancy of men and women is 18.8%. According to this indicator, Russia is in the penultimate place, only Belarus is behind.

In developed countries, judging by the rating, the growth rate of life expectancy is not so impressive. Well, they did not survive the social catastrophes that befell us in the first half of the 90s of the last century. Developed countries have long reached the frontiers that we still have to dream about. In Switzerland, Greece, Israel, France, Germany, Finland, 75-78 years have been living for a long time. In Japan, for example, men live an average of 80 years, and women - 86.

The question is, what measures can we take to further increase life expectancy? With this question, Trud turned to Anatoly Vishnevsky, Director of the HSE Institute of Demography:

– I would use the words "further growth" with caution. In this study, 1994 was taken as the starting point – almost the most disastrous. Then the economy collapsed, inflation galloped, mass layoffs, salary debts all around. Against this background, today's average of 70.5 years (for men – 64.5 years, for women – 76 years) looks quite advantageous. But in fact, we have returned to 1964, when the country had about the same indicators. Then they began to decline dramatically, then improved again by the end of the anti-alcohol campaign. In 1987, the average life expectancy was 70 years - as it is now.

And the priority measures that are required to increase life expectancy have long been known to everyone. Yes, we need a fight against smoking and alcoholism. But it does not cancel the financing of healthcare, which includes the prevention of diseases. Even today, 3-4 times less is invested in this area than in developed countries. And as a result, the premature death of millions of Russian citizens. Here are the statistics. In 2012, 1.9 million people died in Russia, and half of them suffered from cardiovascular diseases. And, say, 194 thousand – every tenth! – these are victims of road accidents, murders and suicides… That's where action is needed! The mortality rate from so–called external causes (accidents, violence, etc.) is 159 per 100 thousand inhabitants, and in England and Germany it is only 25. Moreover, in Russia, mostly young men die in this way.

Now, if we managed to cope with the two main troubles – high mortality from external causes and from cardiovascular diseases - Russia would rise sharply in the world rankings of life expectancy. And if we also raise healthcare to a modern level and make it accessible to the majority of our compatriots, we would live and not grieve for at least 100 years.

Where have people been living longer in the last 20 years?1. Estonia 15.24%

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru09.04.2014