Life Expectancy
We often hear how life expectancy is increasing and how fortunate
we are compared with those who were born hundreds of years ago. As
with all statistics, the figures that we hear are not necessarily
an accurate description of reality. In this particular case, it is
true that expectancy has increased over the centuries, however it
is not necessarily related to an overall increase in health. Decreases
in both accidental deaths and deaths related to childbirth (both mother
and child) factor heavily into these statistics. Undoubtedly, improved
living conditions and prenatal care have also greatly affected these
statistics. For every child who dies in childbirth another person
must live to be 100 to create a life expectancy of 50!
While life expectancy is increasing, I am not sure that the increase
is significant or that it reflects the fact that we are healthier
people. In 1900, the life expectancy was 47 years. In 1950 it had
risen to 68 years. That seems like a pretty good jump, 21 years in
half a century. Of course, during that time great strides in sanitation
and prenatal care occurred. Not many people had pure water or even
flush toilets in 1900 but by 1950 almost everyone did. In 1900 most
people were born at home and complications in birth were far more
likely to result in the death of the infant. By 1950, most births
occurred in hospitals. These two factors alone could account for the
increase of 21 years.
The average life expectancy today is 75 years. If you do the math
you find that life expectancy increased 21 years in the first half
of the 20th century and only 7 years in the second half. This is a
little disconcerting considering the fact that there have been significantly
more scientific breakthroughs in the last 50 years than in the first
part of the century. In addition to so-called breakthroughs in science
and medicine, we have also seen the development of numerous safety
products to reduce the number of accidental death including air bags,
smoke detectors and helmets. Additionally, the transition from an
industrial nation to an informational one in the past 50 years has
reduced the number of deaths associated with industrial accidents.
The way the government places power in the hands of agencies like
OSHA, one would think they alone are responsible for the 7-year increase
in life expectancy. What is more, greater numbers of people are adopting
a healthier lifestyle. Smoking has decreased significantly in this
country and record numbers of people are going to fitness centers.
This brings us to the frightening conclusion that medical science
has not really had a significant impact on life-expectancy. More money
has been spent in research to find cures for disease in the last 50
years than all of human history from Adam until 1950. It seems we
should have more to show for it than a 7-year increase. The fact is
all the attention focused at addressing disease has probably not added
one year to the life expectancy of the average American. All the drugs
that have been discovered and all the surgical procedures that have
been done have not increased our life-span for one simple reason.
We can research and fight disease as much as we want but until we
begin to focus on health and its cause, we are not going to create
healthier people and without healthier people, life span will never
increase.
Chiropractic is not an approach to disease. It has an objective of
enabling the body to work at its maximum potential. In so doing the
body has greater ability to adapt to the stresses of life. More benefit
can be gained from nutrition and exercise. Resistance is higher to
fight off disease, natural resistance, not the kind that is brought
about by ingesting drugs into the body, drugs with harmful side effects.
Do not be fooled into thinking that these little increases in life
expectancy are some major achievements. The fact is the beauty and
perfection of the human body suggests we should live twice as long
as we do. Begin to explore true changes to your ability to be well,
including regular chiropractic care, so you can bring about great
leaps in longevity for yourself and all your loved ones.
© Strauss Chiropractic Center
2003
