Question

Think about the various factors that can influence life expectancy. Also, think about the time periods and what was happening during the different times. What social changes have occurred that might lead to some of the differences you see.

Answer 1

Think about the various factors that can influence life expectancy. Also, think about the time periods and what was happening during the different times. What social changes have occurred that might lead to some of the differences you see.

Factors affecting life expectancy are:

• Employment
• Socio economic status
• Education
• Economic well being
• Lifestyle behaviours such as alcohol consumption, tobacco.
• Poor nutrition.
• Lack of exercise.
• Lack of sanitation.
• Lack of clean drinking water.

Over time, life expectancy has changed. Life expectancy was 26 years in the Bronze Age and Iron Age, in 2010 it was found to be 67.2 years. In japan, it is 83 and in Swaziland it is 49. There have been many changes over the years that have been responsible in increasing the life expectancy of people. These changes could be elaborated as:

• One of the primary reasons of increase in life expectancy was the industrial revolution
• Increase in the public health measures is also credited in the increase in life expectancy.
• Though, life expectancy had been affected as a result of AIDS, these were overcome by the rapid improvements in the medical field.
• There have been changes in the economies of the people. Today, most people are able to afford the healthcare treatments even without an insurance.
• An increase in insurance availability for the people, of lower socio economic status, so as to allow them get access health care facilities.