Source: From a Globe and Mail article by Carly Weeks [ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/life-expectancy-gap-closing-between-men-and-women/article1478750/]
The life expectancy rate is climbing, with men living an average of 78.3 years and women living an average of 83, for births between the years 2005 and 2007.
Where as women used to enjoy an extra six years over their male counter-parts, that gap is shrinking. This shift is being attributed to increased health awareness on the behalf of men, as well as sharing a workload that carries with it the risk of stress-related ailments.
What does this all mean for Canada though? First, it means that government sponsored health campaigns are working. With increased knowledge, both genders are able to take better care of themselves in the important early years that can contribute to a healthier old age.
Secondly, it means that our health system is working pretty well. Despite gripes about long wait times, Canadians are still getting the care they need for the most part. Include with that better medical technology and new medical knowledge increasing our ability to manage and treat such conditions as diabetes, and an extension of our lives is surely to follow.
Thirdly, we are going to need to start asking ourselves what the financial impact of living longer is going to be. With the baby boomer’s creating a top heavy age-centered demographic, it is falling to the younger generations to provide for our parents and grandparents the way they once provided for us. This means we will be footing the bill for health-care, retirement pensions and other old-age benefits. When our lives increase, those born in the golden years of two thousand five, six and seven will be looking to their children to make sure that life expectancy is actually reached. Not only will they be expecting to reach it, but they will expect to reach it while living well.
What long-term effect will living longer have on Canada’s economy? Time will be both judge and jury on that one.
