Ro?Ting Lin|Ya?Mei Chen|Lung-Chang Chien|Chang?Chuan Chan
Political and social determinants of life expectancy in less developed countries: a longitudinal study
National Taiwan University|National Taiwan University|Washington University in St. Louis|National Taiwan University
study aimed examine longitudinal contributions four political socioeconomic factors increase life expectancy less developed countries ldcs 1970 2004we collected 35 years annual data 119 ldcs life expectancy birth four key socioeconomic indicators economy measured log10 gross domestic product per capita purchasing power parity educational environment measured literacy rate adult population aged 15 years nutritional status measured proportion undernourished people population political regime measured regime score polity iv database using linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal effects multiple factors life expectancy birth lag 010 years adjusting time regional correlationsthe ldcs increases life expectancy time associated four factors political regime least influence increased life expectancy begin became significant starting 3rd year continued increase impact socioeconomic factors began strong continually decreased time combined effects four socioeconomic political determinants contributed 5474 9816 life expectancy gains throughout lag periods 010 yearsthough effect democratic politics increasing life expectancy relatively small short term compared effects socioeconomic factors longterm impact democracy underestimated