The Lifespan Disparity Dataset: An open repository on inequality and polarization in length of life (1950–2021)

Jordá, Vanesa; Niño-Zarazúa, Miguel; Tejería-Martínez, Mercedes

Abstract

Monitoring health is key for identifying priorities in public health planning and improving healthcare services. Life expectancy has conventionally been regarded as a valuable indicator to compare the health status of different populations. However, this measure is simply the mean of the distribution of the length of life and, as such, neglects individual disparities in health outcomes. In this paper, we use life tables from the UN World Population Prospects to develop the most comprehensive dataset of lifespan inequality and polarization for 258 countries and areas for the period 1950–2021. These extensive series on lifespan distributions provide access to crucial information for researchers, practitioners, and the general public, thus contributing to a better understanding of health differences within and between nations.

Citation

Jordá, V., Niño-Zarazúa, M., & Tejería-Martínez, M. (2024). The Lifespan Disparity Dataset: An open repository on inequality and polarization in length of life (1950–2021). Scientific Data, 11(650), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03426-6

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 28, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jun 21, 2024
• Publication Date: Jun 21, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 24, 2024
• Journal: Scientific Data
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-4463
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 650
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03426-6
• Keywords: Lifespan, Inequality, Polarization, dataset
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-024-03426-6