Difference in life expectancy between sexes. Why is it reducing? France Meslé INED Research Unit « Mortality, Health, Epidemiology » HMD Symposium, Rostock, 17-18 June 2004

Difference in life expectancy between sexes The case of France The recent reversal Male excess mortality The role of causes of death A quasi-general trend The precursors Different causes of death Japan, a specific case

The case of France

Very recently progress becomes faster for males

The reduction of male excess mortality, but not for all ages

The role played by cardiovascular and cancer mortality 2.17 1.27 1.74 1.34 2.36 1.81 1.82 1.53 1.38 2.96 2.82

A quasi-general trend The precursors

A quasi-general trend Everywhere except Japan

England & Wales Italy

Japan : women keep a solid advantage at old ages

The growing weight of respiratory diseases in Japan The major role of cardiovascular diseases in E&W The importance of cancer in France The growing weight of respiratory diseases in Japan

Is the reduction of mortality inequalities between males and females unavoidable ? Yes, in a near future, if male cardiovascular and cancer mortality continues decreasing Not sure in a long term perspective, depending on mortality trends at very old ages