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

2. 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

3. The case of France

4. Very recently progress becomes faster for males

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

6. 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

7. A quasi-general trend The precursors

8. A quasi-general trend Everywhere except Japan

9. England & Wales
Italy

10. Japan : women keep a solid advantage at old ages

11. 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

12. 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