Increase in life expectancy at birth in Japan: some implications for variable patterns of decrease in mortality.
The characteristics of the increase in life expectancy at birth (eo) in Japan were analyzed using the life tables of developed countries in which the values of eo were almost the same. When the decrease in age-specific probability of dying (qx) and its contribution to total gain in eo in Japan were compared to those of other developed countries, the decline in qx in prime, middle and old age groups accounts for much of the change; the decrease in this variable for males aged 50 years and over accounted for 35% of the recent increase in eo. Well-organized medical care and public services are discussed in relation to this unique and unusually rapid increase in eo for the Japanese population.
D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009026:Mortality; D009426:Netherlands; D009664:Norway; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden