Trends in life expectancy and life disparity in Türkiye before and during the COVID-19 period

Authors : Zehra Yayla Enfiyeci, Alanur Çavlin

Pages : 161-172

Doi:10.20518/tjph.1459130

View : 47 | Download : 42

Publication Date : 2024-08-16

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: This descriptive study examines Türkiye’s life expectancy trends from 2013 to 2022, encompassing the COVID-19 period. Methods: This study used the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) cause of death data and explored trends in life expectancy and life disparity by using the line-integral decomposition model. Results: According to results, before the pandemic, increased male life expectancy and reduced disparity resulted from improved outcomes in unintentional injuries and malignant neoplasms during adulthood. Female life expectancy gains were driven by declining cardiovascular diseases in old age. However, during COVID-19, males experienced a greater loss of life expectancy than females in youth and adulthood, while females faced higher mortality rates in old age than males. The pandemic has exacerbated the female-male gap in life expectancy and disparity, with all causes of death increasing except for an improvement in malignant neoplasms among males. Conclusion: The study suggests prioritizing policies that address the health challenges faced by elderly females and young/adult males to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on public health.
Keywords : Causes of Death, Decomposition, Life Disparity, Life Expectancy, Türkiye