Trends in mortality patterns in two countries with different welfare models: comparisons between CUBA and Denmark 1955–2020

Henrik Brønnum-Hansen, Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos Espiñeira, Camila Perera, Ingelise Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Cuba and Denmark represent states with different welfare models that have reached the same level of life expectancy. The purpose was to investigate and compare mortality changes in the two countries. Systematically collected information on population numbers and deaths for the entire Cuban and Danish populations was the basis of life table data used to quantify differences in the change in age-at-death distributions since 1955, age-specific contributions to differences in life expectancy, lifespan variation, and other changes in mortality patterns in Cuba and Denmark. Life expectancy in Cuba and Denmark converged until 2000, when the increase in life expectancy for Cuba slowed down. Since 1955, infant mortality has fallen in both countries but mostly in Cuba. Both populations experienced compression of mortality as lifespan variation decreased markedly, primarily due to postponement of early deaths. Given the different starting point in the mid-1900s and living conditions for Cubans and Danes, health status achieved among Cubans is striking. A rapidly ageing population is challenging both countries, but Cuban health and welfare are further burdened by a deteriorating economy in recent decades.
Original languageEnglish
Article number9
JournalJournal of Population Research
Volume40
Number of pages28
ISSN1443-2447
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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