Life expectancy is a hypothetical metric indicating the average number of years a newborn is projected to live if current age-specific mortality rates remain constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wu Jian, head of Zhengzhou University’s College of Public Health<\/a>, clarified that life expectancy differs from average lifespan: “Life expectancy is a predictive estimate based on existing healthcare conditions and mortality patterns. It rises as medical advancements reduce mortality rates.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wu emphasized that life expectancy serves as a critical indicator of population health, reflecting societal progress<\/a> in healthcare, environmental hygiene, and quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lei highlighted China’s global standing: among 53 upper-middle income countries<\/a>, China ranks fourth in life expectancy; within the G20, it places tenth. Notably, China’s life expectancy surpasses that of 21 high-income nations, a result Lei attributed to traditional Chinese health practices and lifestyle choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eight provincial-level regions — Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Hainan — have achieved life expectancies<\/a> exceeding 80 years. “China holds clear potential for further gains in longevity,” Lei noted, “as public demand for health improvements grows and sustained efforts remain essential.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zhang Shuijun, chief physician at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University<\/a>, linked the longevity gains to China’s socioeconomic development and healthcare advancements, underscoring the role of national medical insurance policies<\/a> and the Healthy China initiative<\/a>. However, he cautioned that rising life expectancy also signals an expanding elderly population. By the end of 2024, China’s population aged 60 and above had surpassed 310 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To address aging-related challenges, China issued a document on deepening reform and development of elderly care services in December last year. The document outlined a comprehensive framework for establishing a elderly care system tailored to China’s conditions, ensuring better protection for the aging population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key measures for reforming elderly care services include accelerating the development of a three-tier urban-rural care network: establishing county-level integrated service platforms, township- and street-level regional care centers, and community-based care stations. This aims to create a “15-minute elderly care service accessibility” system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms also focus on coordinating home-based, community, and institutional care models to provide demand-driven, integrated medical and elderly services. These include meal services, medical support, personal hygiene assistance, and emergency response services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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