The phrase "life expectancy" refers to the average number of years a person is expected to live. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /laɪf ɪkˈspɛktənsi/. The first syllable, "life," is pronounced with a diphthong sound, "ai," and the stress is on the first syllable. The second syllable, "ex," is pronounced similarly to its standalone form, and "tancy" is pronounced as "tensi" with stress on the second syllable. Overall, the word is spelled in a straightforward manner according to its pronunciation.
Life expectancy is a statistical measurement that represents the average number of years an individual is projected to live, based on factors such as age, gender, and socio-economic conditions. It is a fundamental indicator used to assess the overall health and well-being of a population.
Life expectancy is typically computed by taking into account the mortality rates of a specific group or a particular region. By analyzing historical data and trends, experts can estimate the probable lifespan of an average person. The measurement is often expressed in years and is influenced by various factors including access to healthcare, quality of medical services, sanitation, nutrition, lifestyle choices, and genetic predispositions.
Life expectancy can be distinguished into two types: period life expectancy and cohort life expectancy. Period life expectancy provides an average estimate of the remaining years a person is expected to live, assuming the current mortality rates remain constant. On the other hand, cohort life expectancy estimates the future lifespan based on the specific characteristics of a defined group or cohort.
Life expectancy is used by policymakers, researchers, and demographers, among others, to assess the effectiveness of public health policies, evaluate healthcare systems, and monitor progress in improving the well-being and longevity of a population. Understanding life expectancy is vital for healthcare planning, resource allocation, and implementing interventions to address disparities and inequalities that may exist within a society.
• The number of years remaining to one at a given age if he is to reach the average length of life.
• Expectation of l.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "life expectancy" is composed of two parts: "life" and "expectancy".
The term "life" derives from the Old English word "līf" or "līfe", which has Germanic origins. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*libam", meaning "way or course of life". This ancient root is also related to other Germanic terms such as "leben" in German and "leven" in Dutch.
The word "expectancy" comes from the Old French term "expectance", which originated from the Latin word "exspectantia". "Exspectantia" is formed by combining the prefix "ex-" meaning "out" or "thoroughly", and "spectantia", which is the present participle of the verb "spectare", meaning "to look at" or "to wait for".