The widening of last century's life expectancy gap between the sexes has been attributed mostly to smoking—men more than women. But in the last few decades, the number of female smokers has increased relative to their male counterparts, effectively narrowing the gap. In 1999, the latest year for which figures are available, a woman's life expectancy at birth was 79.4, and for a man's, 73.9.
These fluctuations are not confined to the United States. For example, while not citing specific reasons, the United Kingdom's Government Actuary's Department reports that in 1971, a man was expected to live until nearly 69; a woman, 75. By 2011, the ages are expected to be 77.4 and 81.6, respectively. The smoking scenario has been an important factor in explaining demographics in developed countries, and now it is becoming important in developing countries as well, notes Ingrid Waldron, professor of biology, University of Pennsylvania.1
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