Yonsei Med J.  2019 Jul;60(7):687-693. 10.3349/ymj.2019.60.7.687.

Why is Life Expectancy in Busan Shorter than in Seoul? Age and Cause-Specific Contributions to the Difference in Life Expectancy between Two Cities

• Khang YH
• Bahk J

• KMID: 2450409
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2019.60.7.687

Abstract

PURPOSE
Seoul and Busan are the two largest cities in Korea. However, life expectancy (LE) in Busan is shorter than in Seoul and among the total Korean population. This study was conducted to decompose age- and cause-specific contributions to the LE difference between Seoul and Busan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We obtained population and mortality data for Seoul and Busan between 2015 and 2017 from Statistics Korea. We applied Arriaga's decomposition method to life table data to estimate age- and cause-specific contributions to the LE difference between Seoul and Busan.
RESULTS
During 2015-2017, LE in Busan was shorter than in Seoul by 2.22 years. Roughly two-thirds of the LE gap between Seoul and Busan was due to excess mortality among elderly people in Busan. The ≥85 age group alone contributed to approximately 20% of the LE gap, while no meaningful contribution was made by the 1-24 age groups. Cardiovascular disease accounted for over 40% of the total LE gap between Seoul and Busan, and this factor was more prominent in women. The top 15 leading specific causes of deaths explained nearly the entire LE difference between Seoul and Busan.
CONCLUSION
The difference in LE between Seoul and Busan was due to higher mortality rate in Busan than in Seoul, especially in the elderly population and from cardiovascular diseases. Information on age- and cause-specific contributions to the LE difference between Seoul and Busan may guide health policy-makers to plan strategies for reducing the gap in LE.

Keyword

Cause of death; life expectancy; mortality; Republic of Korea; Seoul

MeSH Terms

Aged
Busan*
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cause of Death
Female
Humans
Korea
Life Expectancy*
Life Tables
Methods
Mortality
Republic of Korea
Seoul*