Contributions by age and cause to life expectancy gap between China and South Korea,1990-2019:a decomposition analysis

In the past 30 years,the life expectancy in China continues to rise yet at a slower pace because of,in large part,the heavy burden of chronic diseases on older age groups.Based on data obtained from the United Nations World Population Prospects 2019 and the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019,this study applies Arriaga’s decomposition method to decompose the age/cause-specific contributions to life expectancy gap between China and South Korea during 1990-2019,which could provide understanding on mortality patterns and heavy burden by chronic disease resulting from an aging society.The study has found that the life expectancy gap between these two countries for females has remained constant,while that of males has been increasing during the same period.Another finding is that non-communicable diseases,like cardiovascular diseases among the elderly(aged 60+),explain a large and enlarging part of the life expectancy gap between China and South Korea,especially among males.In addition,maternal and neonatal disorders among children(age group 1-4ys)contribute less and less to life expectancy gap.Those observations suggest a convergence of mortality pattern among younger age groups as well as the continued existence of substantial gaps among older age groups.Additionally,given the precedent of South Korea,China should also take suicide as another issue with greater attention in the future.Finally,this study concludes by suggesting targeted public health policies to reduce mortality in certain age groups and save more lives from certain diseases.

The impact of stomach cancer mortality on life expectancy at birth:a decomposition analysis in east Asian countries from 1990 to 2019

From 1990 to 2019,stomach cancer posed a significant health burden in East Asia.The impact of stomach cancer deaths on life expectancy at birth in East Asian countries remains underexplored.This study quantifies the impact of stomach cancer on life expectancy(LE)and decomposes the age-specific contributions of this impact from 1990 to 2019 for East Asian countries.Using Global Burden of Disease data,we utilize potential gains in life expectancy(PGLEs)at birth to assess the impact by building cause-deleted life tables.The research decomposed age-specific contributions to the impact using Arriaga’s method.The findings reveal that stomach cancer deaths reduced approximately 0.35 to 1.02 years in LE at birth for males and 0.24 to 0.66 years for females in East Asian countries over the decades.The impact of stomach cancer on life expectancy in China,Japan,and South Korea converged before 2004 and then declined.A sudden drop characterized North Korea between 1995 and 2003.Notably,the patterns of age-specific contributions to the impact were heterogeneous.In China,Japan,and South Korea,the most impactful contribution in the PGLEs at birth shifted towards older age groups,while the pattern in North Korea showed limited changes.Focusing on consistent stomach cancer prevention policies could yield greater life expectancy gains,especially for older males.Despite rising life expectancy,nations with slower declines in stomach cancer mortality may face a more pronounced impact in the future.