Snelle toename van de levensverwachting in Nederland

Objective

To investigate the reasons behind the sharp upturn of life expectancy in the Netherlands around 2002.

Design

Descriptive, trend analysis.

Method

Mortality data were categorised by age, sex and cause of death and analysed using life-table methods. Trends in determinants of mortality (including healthcare delivery) were compared with trends in mortality.

Results

Two-thirds of the increased life-expectancy figures from 2002 on could be attributed to the decline in mortality of persons aged 65 and older. Declines in mortality were seen for many causes of death. Favourable changes in determinants of mortality coinciding with the accelerated decrease in mortality were especially observed within the healthcare system. Healthcare expenditures rose rapidly after 2001; this was accompanied by a sharp rise in elderly patients’ visits to specialists, use of prescribed medication, hospital admissions and surgical procedures. A decline in the number of times the decision not to treat is made suggests a change in attitude tending toward actively treating elderly patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the sharp upturn of life expectancy in the Netherlands from 2002 on was at least partly due to an increase in healthcare for the elderly, and has been facilitated by a relaxation of budgetary constraints in the healthcare system.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.