Life Expectancy Grew 6 Years Since 1990

Life expectancy across the world has risen by more than six years since 1990, according to an analysis from a 2013 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Falling death rates from cancer and heart disease in developed countries and better survival rates of diarrhea, tuberculosis, and malaria in poorer countries contributed to the falling death rate. The one exception, however, is southern sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS has reduced life expectancy by five years since 1990.