Taiwan’s Life Expectancy Could Rise by 3.46 Years Without Cancer
The Ministry of the Interior in Taiwan has released the 2023 Table of Life, revealing that the country’s average life expectancy could increase by 3.46 years if cancer were excluded from the data. This analysis was conducted by comparing the average life expectancy without the top 10 causes of death to the overall average life expectancy.
Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 42 years, with 53,126 cancer-related deaths last year, accounting for about 25.84% of all deaths. If cancer-related deaths are removed, the average life expectancy rises from 80.23 years to 83.69 years.
The impact of cancer on life expectancy has decreased over the years, with the difference between the general population’s life expectancy and those dying from cancer dropping from 4.19 years in 2013 to 3.46 years last year.
Pneumonia is the third leading cause of death, with its impact on life expectancy decreasing from 1.06 years in 2021 to 0.94 years last year. Men’s mortality rates are higher than women’s for several diseases, including cancer and heart disease, while women have higher mortality rates for diabetes and kidney-related illnesses.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island located in East Asia, near China. It is known for its modern cities, traditional Chinese temples, and beautiful landscapes.
Life Expectancy -: Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live based on current health trends and conditions. It helps us understand how long people might live in a certain area or country.
Cancer -: Cancer is a disease where some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. It is a major health issue worldwide and can be life-threatening.
Ministry of the Interior -: The Ministry of the Interior is a government department in Taiwan responsible for domestic affairs, including public health and safety. They collect and report important data like life expectancy.
Pneumonia -: Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. It can be serious, especially for young children, older adults, and people with other health problems.
Mortality Rates -: Mortality rates refer to the number of deaths in a particular population, usually expressed per 1,000 or 100,000 people. It helps us understand how common death is in a certain group or area.