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Why is the gender gap in life expectancy decreasing? The impact of age- and cause-specific mortality in Sweden 1997–2014

Author

Listed:
  • Louise Sundberg

    (Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University)

  • Neda Agahi

    (Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University)

  • Johan Fritzell

    (Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University)

  • Stefan Fors

    (Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University)

Abstract

Objectives To enhance the understanding of the current increase in life expectancy and decreasing gender gap in life expectancy. Methods We obtained data on underlying cause of death from the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden for 1997 and 2014 and used Arriaga’s method to decompose life expectancy by age group and 24 causes of death. Results Decreased mortality from ischemic heart disease had the largest impact on the increased life expectancy of both men and women and on the decreased gender gap in life expectancy. Increased mortality from Alzheimer’s disease negatively influenced overall life expectancy, but because of higher female mortality, it also served to decrease the gender gap in life expectancy. The impact of other causes of death, particularly smoking-related causes, decreased in men but increased in women, also reducing the gap in life expectancy. Conclusions This study shows that a focus on overall changes in life expectancies may hide important differences in age- and cause-specific mortality. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing modifiable lifestyle factors to reduce avoidable mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Louise Sundberg & Neda Agahi & Johan Fritzell & Stefan Fors, 2018. "Why is the gender gap in life expectancy decreasing? The impact of age- and cause-specific mortality in Sweden 1997–2014," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(6), pages 673-681, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:63:y:2018:i:6:d:10.1007_s00038-018-1097-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1097-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Cristina Belles-Obrero & Sergi Jiménez-Martín & Judit Vall Castello, 2019. "Education and Gender Differences in Mortality Rates," Studies on the Spanish Economy 2019-05, FEDEA.
    4. Rikuya Hosokawa & Toshiyuki Ojima & Tomoya Myojin & Jun Aida & Katsunori Kondo & Naoki Kondo, 2020. "Associations between Healthcare Resources and Healthy Life Expectancy: A Descriptive Study across Secondary Medical Areas in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Cristina Bellés-Obrero & Sergi Jiménez-Martín & Judit Vall Castello, 2020. "Unintended Health Costs of Gender Equalization," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2020_103v2, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    6. Mariarosaria Coppola & Maria Russolillo & Rosaria Simone, 2019. "An Indexation Mechanism for Retirement Age: Analysis of the Gender Gap," Risks, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, February.
    7. Stefan Fors & Stefania Illinca & Janet Jull & Selma Kadi & Susan Phillips & Ricardo Rodrigues & Afshin Vafaei & Eszter Zolyomi & Johan Rehnberg, 2022. "Cohort-specific disability trajectories among older women and men in Europe 2004–2017," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1111-1119, December.
    8. Carol Jagger, 2021. "EU and UK targets for healthy life expectancy – are they achievable?," Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, vol. 19(1), pages 15-21.
    9. Cristina Bellés-Obrero & Sergi Jiménez-Martín & Judit Vall Castello, 2022. "Minimum working age and the gender mortality gap," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 35(4), pages 1897-1938, October.
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