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Understanding the rapid increase in life expectancy in South Korea

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  • Yang, S.
  • Khang, Y.-H.
  • Harper, S.
  • Smith, G.D.
  • Leon, D.A.
  • Lynch, J.

Abstract

Objectives. We assessed life expectancy increases in the past several decades in South Korea by age and specific causes of death. Methods. We applied Arriaga's decomposition method to life table data (1970-2005) and mortality statistics (1983-2005) to estimate age- and cause-specific contributions to changes in life expectancy. Results. Reductions in infant mortality made the largest age-group contribution to the life expectancy increase. Reductions in cardiovascular diseases (particularly stroke and hypertensive diseases) contributed most to longer life expectancy between 1983 and 2005 (30% in males and 28% in females). Lower rates of stomach cancer, liver disease, tuberculosis, and external-cause mortality accounted for 30% of the male and 20% of the female increase in longevity. However, higher mortality from ischemic heart disease, lung and bronchial cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, and suicide offset gains by 10% in both genders. Conclusions. Rapid increases in life expectancy in South Korea were mostly achieved by reductions in infant mortality and in diseases related to infections and blood pressure.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, S. & Khang, Y.-H. & Harper, S. & Smith, G.D. & Leon, D.A. & Lynch, J., 2010. "Understanding the rapid increase in life expectancy in South Korea," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(5), pages 896-903.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2009.160341_4
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.160341
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    Cited by:

    1. Cheng-Wen LEE & Min-Sun KIM, 2017. "The Factors Affecting Life Expectancy In South Korea," EcoForum, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 6(3), pages 1-1, august.
    2. Bravo, Jorge M. & Ayuso, Mercedes & Holzmann, Robert & Palmer, Edward, 2021. "Addressing the life expectancy gap in pension policy," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 200-221.
    3. Jinwook Bahk & Kyunghee Jung-Choi, 2020. "The Contribution of Avoidable Mortality to the Life Expectancy Gains in Korea between 1998 and 2017," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-10, September.
    4. Qucheng Deng & Yongping Wei & Yan Zhao & Xuerong Han & Juan Yin, 2018. "Understanding the Natural and Socioeconomic Factors behind Regional Longevity in Guangxi, China: Is the Centenarian Ratio a Good Enough Indicator for Assessing the Longevity Phenomenon?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Sea Jin Kim & Woo-Kyun Lee & Jun Young Ahn & Wona Lee & Soo Jeong Lee, 2021. "Analysis of Developmental Chronology of South Korean Compressed Growth as a Reference from Sustainable Development Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    6. Amelia Maika & Murthy N Mittinty & Sally Brinkman & Sam Harper & Elan Satriawan & John W Lynch, 2013. "Changes in Socioeconomic Inequality in Indonesian Children’s Cognitive Function from 2000 to 2007: A Decomposition Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(10), pages 1-9, October.
    7. Eun, Sang Jun, 2019. "Avoidable, amenable, and preventable mortalities in South Korea, 2000–2017: Age-period-cohort trends and impact on life expectancy at birth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Aksan, Anna-Maria & Chakraborty, Shankha, 2023. "Life expectancy across countries: Convergence, divergence and fluctuations," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

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