Three dimensions of the survival curve: horizontalization, verticalization, and longevity extension.
Three dimensions of the survival curve have been developed: (1) "horizontalization," which corresponds to how long a cohort and how many survivors can live before aging-related deaths significantly decrease the proportion of survivors; (2) "verticalization," which corresponds to how concentrated aging-related ("normal") deaths are around the modal age at death (M); and (3) "longevity extension," which corresponds to how far the highest normal life durations can exceed M. Our study shows that the degree of horizontalization increased relatively less than the degree of verticalization in Hong Kong from 1976 to 2001. After age normalization, the highest normal life durations moved closer to M, implying that the increase in human longevity is meeting some resistance.
INSERM/Démographie et Santé, Val d'Aurelle, Parc Euromédecine, 34298 Montpellier 5, France. SLKCheung@valdorel.fnclcc.fr
Siu Lan Karen
SL
Cheung
Jean-Marie
JM
Robine
Edward Jow-Ching
EJ
Tu
Graziella
G
Caselli
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends*; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012016:Reference Values; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis