Science Saturday: Blowing Smoke Rings (John Horgan & George Johnson)

[sapeye]

Originally Posted by Ocean

This is the kind of data you're referring to. And, indeed, most of the increase in life expectancy at birth can be accounted for by improved rates of infant and childhood survival. As the age gets higher, the gains are less marked.

Thanks, Ocean. Yes infant mortality does account for a significant amount of the difference, but there is still a lot even from age 10 on. What's interesting is that for those that make it to 50, there's not a lot of difference in how many years they can expect to live whether living in the late 19th century or the early 21st. By the time people reach 80 it's a wash. So longevity for individuals hasn't changed much at all.