NOVOSIBIRSK, May 16 (RIA Novosti) – The average life expectancy in Russia, currently just over 70 years, could increase to 74 years in the near future, a Russian deputy prime minister for social affairs said Friday.
“We have made a very serious step to solve the life expectancy issue. Last year, this number reached 70.8 years. But life expectancy should be at least 74 years,” Olga Golodets said, adding that the country still needs improvements in the national health care system.
Lower average life expectancy in Russia results from an increase in road deaths and the lack of medical literacy among the population, Golodets said. “We have failed to work out the single infrastructure developed by the society,” she said, adding that the country’s system of to diagnose disease is ineffective.
According to the latest report by the World Health Organization, average life expectancy has risen globally to 73 years following successes in fighting diseases and child mortality. The longest life expectancy for men is in Iceland (81.2 years) and for women is in Japan (87 years).
