Research Paper on Factors That Determine Your Potential Lifespan in Developed Countries

Introduction

Longevity, also called life expectancy refers to the average number of years remaining at a given age. The lifespan in many of the developed countries is projected to increase in future years. Lifespan or life expectancy is dependent on the year of birth and the current age and other factors such as gender. In the past century, the lifespan increased throughout the years, allowing more people to live to old ages and to spend more years in old age compared to a younger generation. A study showed that between 1900 and 2010, the chances of reaching 100 years in the United States have increased (Vaupel & Jeune, 1995).

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Majority of the researchers who have studied the trends in the rates of mortality have concluded that there will not be an imminent barrier that could prevent the increase in life expectancy in the future (Bongaarts, 2005). Currently, the highest life expectancies have been found to be in South Korea (90.8 years old), France (88.6 years old) and Japan (88.4 years old) for women, and in South Korea (84.1 years old), Australia (84.0 years old) and Switzerland (84.0 years old) for men. The developed nations seem to be on top of their deteriorating situation. There are, however, factors, controlled by humans, that have contributed to the increase in life expectancy. The developed nations have a high income and high literacy rates, excellent health facilities, high industrial support and high standards of living.

Nutrition

There are a lot of people who focus on eating all the wrong kinds of foods, while still aiming for good health. Taking foods that have a low amount of whole grains, fruit, seeds and nuts and fish oils and food which have a high content of salt drastically increases the chances of early death. Early deaths mean low lifespan. The life expectancy in 2016 was 75.3 years for women worldwide and 69.8 years for men worldwide, with Japan having the highest life expectancy of 84 years. Japan is a country deeply steeped in tradition and the citizens greatly respect their culture. Traditional Japanese diets such as Natto, Amazake, Umeboshi, Miso soup, Konnyaku, Daikon, and Green tea are a well-balanced meal which contains medicinal properties that help to find a range of diseases and medical conditions such as stomach ulcers, the hardening of the arteries and gum disease ("8 Healthy Japanese Food Gems," 2017). Diet contributes a very high percentage after smoking (Boseley, 2017).

Exercise

Exercise is the regular and moderate physical activity that is aimed at keeping the body in a peak physical state to avoid the development of certain conditions such as obesity. Exercise has been directly linked to life expectancy as a decisive factor. More practice increases the lifespan of an individual while less activity is directly proportional to reduced life expectancy. The individual completely controls this factor since they can choose whether to exercise or not to. A study showed that the obese participants who engaged in moderate exercise for about 150 minutes every week lived for an average of 3.4 more years. Overweight (not obese) participants exercising for the same amount of time were seen to live for 3.9 more years, with regular weight participants adding 4.7 years to their lives (Azvolinksky, 2012). A study conducted in the united states shows that the life expectancy was 3.4 years longer for individuals who engaged in a recommended level of physical activity. Leisure time exercise reduces the risk of early death (Moore et al., 2012).

Genetics

A study conducted by the School of Public Health at the University of Boston (B. U.) identified unique genetic signatures that are linked to a long and healthy lifestyle. The DNA of the subjects was compared to that of random subjects, and the results showed genetic variation in different individuals (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that were found to be associated with longevity. The study found that, for some centenarians, their long life was attributed to the delayed onset of diseases that come about due to age, such as hypertension and dementia. People with 'good' genetics may have higher life expectancies since they might be immune to common diseases that affect and lead to the premature or early death of most of the population in developed countries. Doctors know a lot about genetics and can offer sound advice on how to ensure that they live longer lives. Genetics factor is combined with environment and lifestyle factors to living longer lives. Over the past 50 years, there has been a high incidence of genetically related diseases that have crept into whole lineages, causing premature deaths in the offspring.

Stress

A study conducted by the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of Minnesota showed that stress does limit life expectancy. The aging and death of cells have been suggested as a possible mechanism, that links lifelong stress to diseases related to aging and reduced life spans. The experiment, done on C57BL/6J mice was able to identify the onset of pathological conditions in mice receiving low aggression (Razzoli et al., 2018). The mice were later dissected and found to have symptoms of atherosclerosis. The developed countries have an advanced medical healthcare system, and this is part of the reason why they have almost conquered the issue of stress. A study showed that the most common stressors include family, friends, money, romantic life, school, and work. In developed nations like the United States people cope with stress by exercising. The first place on ways of dealing with stress in the United stated is tightly competed for by exercise and watching television (TV) (Horn, 2018). The data also showed that the kind of coping method was dependent on the reason or the type of stress.

Income

As much as the developed countries are 'developed,' the issue of work and pay still affects them. They have a well-built economy and high standards of life that some of their citizens cannot keep up with. This is a cause for stress which leads to reduced lifespan. Living without money in the United States of America is very dangerous and hazardous to the health of the citizens. A study done by the Harvard Kennedy School showed that the average life expectancy of the United States residents earning the lowest incomes is now similar to that of the citizens of Sudan or Pakistan, developing countries.

Residence

The area or the region of residence or dwelling within a particular developed country can determine the life expectancy of an individual. An analysis done on government records (Internal Revenue Service) proved that the location of residence significantly affects the lifespan of an individual. The records showed that poor people living in wealthy areas such San Francisco and New York had longer lifespans as compared to poor people living in more impoverished areas. Making the case of the United States of America, a developed nation, it has many different states and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. People living in areas that have high levels of polluted environment have a high risk of dying prematurely. The choice of residence is a key factor that determines the life expectancy of an individual. This factor can be discussed with the doctor, and they can offer advice on a safe place to relocate. High population pressure has caused people to opt for cheaper housing, never minding where the houses have been built. Addressing this factor is not a trivial task due to the immensity of transforming entire countries to provide better housing in safe areas.

Environment

Without the environment, there are no humans. Human beings coexist with the environment in a mutualistic benefit relationship, where the human takes care of the environment, and the environment sustains the human by remaining productive and safe for humans to live in. Over the years, the environment has become more and more polluted, more in some areas and less in others. This has led to the birth of sick children whose rate of premature death due to congenital and genetic diseases is very high. Some environments are very hostile to the existence of human beings. States like Texas in the United States of America. are ridden with harsh weather conditions such as tornadoes. This risks greatly lower the life expectancy of the people living in those areas. This kind of factor cannot be discussed with the

Pollution

With development, comes new forms of challenges. The production of electricity for lighting has left the ozone layer depleted, contributing to ionizing radiation from the sun which is a leading cause of cancer-related problems. Fracking operations leave silica particles in the air which are inhaled by residents of the areas with these industries (Brumley, 2017). These particles fill their lungs resulting in a condition called silicosis, a lung-disabling disease which had been linked to tuberculosis (TB). Fracking, also called Hydraulic fracturing is a method (recently developed) used in the production of oil and gas in the United States. The factories have been set up near human settlements and in backyards and neighborhoods with people living in them. People living in such areas are bound to suffer from T.B and lung diseases and will have a shorter lifespan, compared to people living in areas with fewer factories and industries. There are many forms of pollution of the environment by factories.

Invention and Innovation

A study done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that vehicle emissions alone are the most significant contributor to the 200,000 annual premature deaths that occur in the United States. The report showed the concentrations of the particulates whose therapeutic implication have been shown in Table 1. These particulates were made present in the air by road transportation (tailpipe exhaust) alone.

When these fumes are inhaled, they lead to development of chronic illnesses such as lung cancer. Inventions have also contributed to an increase in life expectancy. Research on anti-aging and longevity have become frequent over the past few years. The development of techniques such as cryopreservation and reverse cell aging will greatly prolong the life span of human beings.

Education

Education is a factor that indirectly affects the lifespan of developed nations. Since developed countries have better education systems and better schools and better curriculums, the majority of the population is educated. With education, it becomes easy to secure a job and earn an income. With an income, paying for basic needs, utility bills and medical bills will not be a problem, meaning that a particular individual will not get stress and depression due to lack of money or absence of a job. Even if they get other forms of stress, they will be able to get medical help because they can afford it. Thus, with education, the lifespan of people living in developed nations increases drastically. People have come to appreciate the value of education over th...