World life expectancy has increased at its fastest rate for 50 years this decade, it was revealed yesterday.
The big improvements have been in Africa where campaigns against the continent’s chronic health problems, such as malaria and poor child health, have taken root, according to the World Health Organisation.
Life expectancy in Africa has now reached 60 years – an increase of 9.4 years since 2010, according to its latest world health statistics publication.
In spite of this children in many African countries still face a life expectancy of less than 60 – while those born in 29 wealthy countries can hope for 80 years of life, the statistics show.
A girl born in Japan has a life expectancy of 86.8 while a boy in Switzerland has a life expectancy of 81.3 years, according to WHO.
The statistics show that worldwide some 5.9 million children die before the age of five while 303,000 die from the complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
The world has 1.1 billion tobacco smokers and 156 million infants under the age of five who are stunted – compared with 42 million children of this age who are overweight.
WHO director general Dr Margaret Chan said: “The world has made great strides in reducing the needless suffering and premature deaths that arise from preventable and treatable diseases.
“But the gains have been uneven. Supporting countries to move towards universal health coverage based on strong primary care is the best thing we can do to make sure no-one is left behind.”
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