Development ofMean Life Span in the Czech Republic 1990-2000; Medical and Economic Relations

Overview

During the period between 1990 and 2000 the mean life span in the Czech Republic increasedby 4.1 in the new born male population and by 2.9 years in the female population. Prolongationof the mean life span occurred also in the older age groups. Despite this positive developmentthe mean life span in the Czech Republic is significantly shorter as compared with mean valuesof theEUcountries (the difference is more than 4 years in alems and 3 years in females).Positivechanges of the increase in the mean life span were achieved in the CR rather by extension oftechnological conditions than by an improved attitude of the population to their own health.The marginal costs of the healthcare system associated with prolongation of life by one yearare in the population of the new born approximately 13 000 crowns which is substantially lessthan in the EU countries. Possibilities of further prolongation of the life span of the populationin the CR involve in particular reduction of the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases,malignant tumours and external causes of death. For 2003 further improvement of indicatorsof the mean life span may be foreseen: for men in the age bracket from 73-75 years, for womenfrom 80 to 83 years.

Key words:
mean life span - attitude of population to their own health - reduction ofmortality rate.