Citation

Nizard A. Etudes sur la Mort 2002; 121(1): 9-25.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002)

DOI

10.3917/eslm.121.0009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

From 1946 to 2000, the life expectancy increased from 62.5 to 79 years. The annual number of deaths however hardly varied, rising each year with some 550 000 deaths. The population increased by 50%, while the number of the "85 years or more " group was multiplied by 6. The weak variation of the number of deaths results from a compensation between the effects of the fall of mortality and those of the increase and the ageing of the population. In 1946, less than 1 death out of 5 was 80 years old or more. It is the case of the 1 death out of 2 in 2000. The place of the death moved from the home (3 deaths out of 4 in 1950) to the hospital (1 out of 2 in 1995). Between 1950 and 2000, the life expectancy increased by 13 years while the risk of death, all ages considered, decreased by more than 50%. During the last half-century, the fall of mortality initially was based on the retreat of the infectious diseases. A new trend was established about 1970 with the fall of cardiovascular mortality while the risks related to life style and the environment evolved in different ways (reduction in alcoholism, continuation of the rise of the nicotinism, especially male, limitation of road mortality by the regulation). Adult mortality is still very strong, but in retreat. Since 1988, the fall of male mortality by cancer is falling. The AIDS has declined quickly since 1996. Road mortality, still very high, is gradually decreasing. Suicide, dependent on the economic crisis and a social structure unfavorable to young people, had fallen since 1996. The rise of the female nicotine addiction has brought mortality levels in the two sexes closer. © L'Esprit du Temps.

Language: fr