ATTITUDES TO LIFE EXT

[David Lloyd-Jones]

 luly at netcom.com (Robert Luly) writes:
 
RL+  The International Population Report P95/92-3 graphing shows the MAXIMUM 
  +life span to be 110 to 120 years for tha past 100,000 years (I don't know 
  +how they *know* that) and thare has been no "right shift" of this age to 
  +date. The graphing also shows a steady "right shift" of AVERAGE life span 
  +from 20 years old in 10,000 bc to 35 yrs. in 1000 AD to 40 yrs. in 1700 to
  +50 yrs. in 1900 and projected to be 80 yrs. in 2000.
 
Note that this increase to 80 years is only likely in the countries 
with socialised medicine -- Europe, Japan, Canada.  In the US life 
expectancy is static. 

In Russia, which suffers from an excess of free enterprise, life 
expectancy -- and even population -- has dropped over the last few 
years. 

This need not be so: there are huge easy gains to be made through 
reductions in fat consumption; inoculation of children; prenatal care 
for mothers, particularly welfare recipients; a gas tax adequate to pay 
for roads which would cut mileage driven; and continued progress on the 
environment.  
  
In Russia rather more might be needed.  Getting coal mining out of the 
nineteenth century would be a nice start.
 
                                             -dlj.

david.lloyd-jones at canrem.com

 * 1st 1.11 #3818 *       Gingrich, n. abbrev. :  "Giving to the rich".