look news india
The latest report of the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed shocking facts regarding human health and life span in South Asia. Analysis of the latest data on average life expectancy at birth has revealed that the age race in this region has reached a very interesting point. While on one hand India, recovering from the deep crisis of the Corona epidemic, has brought its average age up to 71 years, on the other hand, neighboring country Pakistan has lagged far behind, stuck at 68.2 years due to economic distress and crumbling health services. However, the most surprising picture has emerged from Bangladesh, where its citizens are living an average life of 72.7 years and are leading in terms of longevity, leaving behind both India and Pakistan.
According to data released by WHO, health indicators and access to primary care directly affect years of life in South Asian countries. While the average life expectancy in India was 70.5 years in 2019, it fell to 68.1 years during the pandemic, but made a rapid recovery to 71 years between 2021 and 2023. Talking about Pakistan, the situation there remains very worrying, where the average age has been recorded at only 68.2 years. On the other hand, Bangladesh has achieved an average life expectancy of 72.7 years on the back of social development, women empowerment and primary healthcare at the grassroots level. If seen globally, the average life expectancy in developed countries like America has been recorded at 78.5 years and in Canada at 81.4 years, while the average age of the entire world is around 73.3 years.
One of the most important and thoughtful aspects of the World Health Organization’s report is not just counting breaths, but healthy life expectancy (HALE). Statistics show that the total life expectancy in India has touched 71 years, but the number of years spent in healthy condition is only 60.6 years. In the year 2019 it was 60.5 years, which decreased to 58.4 years during the pandemic and has now returned to 60.6 years with a slight increase. Its simple and bitter meaning is that a common person in India is forced to spend the last 10.4 years of his life with the help of some chronic disease, physical weakness or medicines.
The report has also presented a very accurate assessment regarding the elderly population. As per current estimates, a person who successfully turns 60 in India can expect to live an average of 18.8 more years. In the year 2019 this expectation was 18.4 years. But it is a matter of concern that out of these additional 18.8 years, a person is able to spend only 13.7 years in a completely healthy and active life. The remaining five years are lost to serious health complications like arthritis, dementia, heart disorders and reduced mobility.
During the last two decades, there has been a drastic change in the causes of death in India. In 2000, infectious diseases such as TB, diarrhea and pneumonia accounted for 62 percent of the country’s top 10 causes of death, while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 34 percent. But today the situation has completely reversed. Now non-communicable diseases have become the main cause of about 75 percent of deaths in the country, while the share of infectious diseases has reduced to only 16 percent. Diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases (COPD) are now leading to premature deaths, which are a direct result of deteriorating lifestyle, diet and physical inactivity.
Health experts believe that Bangladesh has made great strides in reducing child mortality, clean drinking water, eliminating open defecation and basic vaccination as well as strengthening the network of rural health workers (Community Health Workers) in the last three decades. This had a direct impact on the average age of women and children there, making them higher than the national average of India. In contrast, in Pakistan, due to severe shortage of health budget, political instability, malnutrition, high maternal mortality rate and constant struggle with diseases like TB and polio, the average age remained limited to 68.2 years. This report is also a warning for India that merely increasing hospitals and medicines will not be enough, but only prevention of lifestyle diseases at the primary level can give people a long and healthy life.