Open AccessOS LIMITES DO CORPO
Author(s) -
Cássio M. Turra
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
revista da ufmg/revista da universidade federal de minas gerais
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2316-770X
DOI - 10.35699/2316-770x.2012.2717
Subject(s) - longevity , socioeconomic status , demography , geography , economic growth , history , development economics , gerontology , sociology , population , economics , medicine
Our chances of reaching 100 years of age are significantly higher than those of our ancestors who lived until the eighteenth century. Over the past two centuries, advances in public health, income gains, and the continuous technological development have enabled longevity to reach historically unprecedented levels. This article critically surveys the large and growing literature on factors that may have contributed to reducing mortality levels in the world. We are particularly interested on issues that currently have been the focus of demographers: the levels and patterns of mortality at advanced ages, the proliferation of centenarians, and the demographic and socioeconomic consequences of longevity gains. Whenever possible, we discuss the specific case of Brazil.