Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in Latvia: Reasons and Socio-Economic Implications
Gender Gap in Life Expectancy and Its Socio-Economic Implications A new FROGEE policy brief on the situation in the region, containing an overview of the situation in Latvia written by Zane Vārpiņa (Stockholm School of Economics in Riga).
In Latvia women outlive men by approximately 10 years. The disparity is likely attributable to non-biological factors, such as behavioural risks and healthcare system issues. Men’s higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and risk-taking behaviours, coupled with lower healthcare utilization, potentially exacerbate avoidable mortality. The brief suggests targeted public health policies and improved healthcare access to address preventable and treatable mortality, aiming to reduce the gender gap and improve overall life expectancy.
The full Report on the situation in Latvia is available here.
Reports from Belarus, Georgia and Poland are available here.
About FROGEE Policy Briefs
FROGEE Policy Briefs is a special series aimed at providing overviews and the popularization of economic research related to gender equality issues. Debates around policies related to gender equality are often highly politicized. We believe that using arguments derived from the most up to date research-based knowledge would help us build a more fruitful discussion of policy proposals and in the end achieve better outcomes.
The aim of the briefs is to improve the understanding of research-based arguments and their implications, by covering the key theories and the most important findings in areas of special interest to the current debate. The briefs start with short general overviews of a given theme, which are followed by a presentation of country-specific contexts, specific policy challenges, implemented reforms and a discussion of other policy options.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in policy briefs and other publications are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of the FREE Network and its research institutes.
