THE average life expectancy of Beijing residents with a hukou, or household registration, reached 81.12 in 2011, which is 0.31 years older than that of the previous year, local authorities said on Saturday.
According to a report released by the municipal health bureau, the average life expectancy of males was 79.16, and that of females stood at 83.17. Additionally, the infant mortality rate in Beijing was 2.84 per thousand births, 13.7 per cent lower than that of 2010. The maternal mortality rate was 9.09 per 100,000 births, down 25.1 per cent year on year.
The top three causes of death for Beijing residents in 2011 were malignant tumor, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.
Fang Laiying, head of the health bureau, said chronic diseases are closely related to poor living habits.
The Information Office of the State Council on Monday released the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015), saying that China will work to increase citizens' average life expectancy to 74.5 years by 2015.
The government vowed to first establish a basic medical and health system that covers the entire nation, then improve the medical insurance system, public health service system and medical care system to protect the citizens' right to health services. Xinhua
A Chinese elderly resident exercises in a park in Beijing. China is now grappling with the challenges of a rapidly ageing population. Picture: EPA
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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