Gains in life expectancy by elimination of specified causes of death in Pakistan
Ali, S.M.; Nasir, Z.M.
Pakistan Development Review 27(4 Part 2): 645-651
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9729 PMID: 12283409 Document Number: 352708
An analysis of data drawn from the 1984 Pakistan Demographic Survey reveals a mortality pattern dominated by children's diseases, water-borne illnesses, and infections and parasitic diseases. 12 life tables were constructed to estimate gains in life expectancy at birth that would result from the elimination of specific causes of death. According to this analysis, 3.88 years would be added to life expectancy at birth if malaria were eliminated. Further gains would result from the elimination of tuberculosis (2.72 years), children's diseases (2.35 years), water-borne diseases (1.91 years), other infective and parasitic diseases (1.83 years), and circulatory diseases (1.29 years). On the other hand, elimination of accidental deaths and neoplasms would extend life expectancy by only 0.84 and 0.42 years, respectively. The Pakistan pattern is in direct contrast to that found in developed countries such as the US, where elimination of cardiovascular diseases would increase life expectancy by 13 years for males and 17 years for females. In high-mortality developing societies such as Pakistan, innumerable deaths could be prevented by public health measure such as universal child immunization and environmental steps such as better sewerage and an increased supply of potable water.