Introduction
Every person hopes to live a long and healthy life, surrounded by loved ones and enjoying everything the world has to offer. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy such a reality. Life expectancy varies drastically from country to country, with some places faring better than others. In this article, we delve into which country has the lowest life expectancy and the factors contributing to its alarming statistics.
Exploring Life Expectancy Around the World
While there have been significant improvements in life expectancy globally over the past few decades, some countries continue to lag behind. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global average life expectancy in 2019 was 73.4 years. The top countries with the highest life expectancies include Japan (84.6 years), Switzerland (83.1 years), and Singapore (83.1 years). However, the picture is not as bright for every country.
When it comes to the country with the lowest life expectancy, the nation in question is sadly Papua New Guinea.
Causes of Low Life Expectancy in the Country
There are numerous factors affecting life expectancy, and Papua New Guinea is a prime example of how they can all compound and contribute to a lower life expectancy rate. Some of the main causes of low life expectancy in the country include:
Socioeconomic factors such as poverty and income inequality
The Human Development Index (HDI) measures factors such as income, education, and healthcare to determine a country’s overall level of human development. Papua New Guinea ranks 153 out of 189 countries and territories on the HDI, indicating poor economic and social conditions that negatively impact life expectancy. Wide income disparity is also an issue in the country, with much of the population belonging to rural areas that lack infrastructure, necessary medical care, and basic resources such as safe drinking water and electricity.
Environmental factors such as pollution and climate
Climate change has significant effects that are altering the geography, temperature, and overall climate of different regions. When it comes to Papua New Guinea, the country is prone to severe natural disasters such as landslides and hurricanes. The country also struggles with environmental pollution and the destruction of forests, contributing to a decline in overall health.
Healthcare access and quality
Medical care in Papua New Guinea is often inadequate, with the country ranking 153 out of 192 countries on the WHO’s healthcare access and quality index. Moreover, healthcare facilities are often too far to reach, or they do not have the equipment, staff or medications needed to provide adequate medical attention to patients.
Lifestyle choices such as tobacco and alcohol use
The use of tobacco and alcohol can drastically impact life expectancy. Papua New Guinea has high rates of both smoking and alcohol consumption, which contributes to poor health outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, liver cirrhosis, and tuberculosis.
Breaking Down the Numbers
So how low is the life expectancy in Papua New Guinea? The most recent data put the country’s life expectancy at around 64 years. For perspective, in Japan, it is almost 85 years, one of the highest in the world.
Life expectancy also differs drastically between gender in Papua New Guinea, with men having a life expectancy of just 58 years, while women have a slightly better but still lower rate of 64 years.
The Human Cost of Low Life Expectancy
Behind every statistic and data point, there are people struggling due to low life expectancy who face adversity and difficulty to lead healthy, normal lives. Failing health often disrupts educational and employment opportunities for individuals, thereby making poverty and economic hardship the standard. Families may struggle on income levels, with fewer resources to tend to their loved ones’ needs, including medical care. In Papua New Guinea, access to even basic healthcare services is challenging, and many individuals lack coverage, medication, surgeries and other life-saving technologies. The struggle to find and access quality medical and healthcare services is a massive roadblock for many individuals and thus affects their life expectancy.
Conclusion
The country with the lowest life expectancy is not born from a singular issue- it’s a multitude of factors that affect Papua New Guinea’s struggling population. Any attempt to address Papua New Guinea’s low life expectancy should look at the broader context of the country’s public health, economic, social, and environmental factors causing its recurring problems.
It is vital to support international health-focused organizations, government programs, and NGOs working to improve the country’s healthcare infrastructure and provide training and ensure proper equipment and medicines to local healthcare professionals. Improving or implementing policies that address poverty, income inequality, and gender inequality will also have a massive impact on the issue.
We all deserve the right to live long, healthy lives. It’s time to address this issue, not just in Papua New Guinea but worldwide for all those struggling.