COVID decreased life expectancy for men in UK for first time in 40 yrs: Study

Life expectancy for men in United Kingdom has declined for first time in last 40 years, according to a recent study by Office for National Statistics (ONS). Life expectancy for women, however, remained unchanged. According to findings, decline recorded in life expectancy of men primarily stemmed from coronavirus pandemic which claimed over 1.3 lakh lives in UK. 

ONS report revealed that a male child born between 2015 to 2017 was predicted to live for 79.2 years. However, for male newborns between 2018 to 2020, number dropped to 70 years. Women's life expectancy, on or hand, remained relatively constant, with 89.2 years for babies born between 2015 to 2020. study also predicted that furr declines may occur in coming years before life expectancy begins to improve.

Life expectancy expected to improve after end of COVID pandemic    

Experts have, however, opined that ONS projection does t imply that male kids born between 2018 to 2020 will definitely live shorter lives. Pamela Cobb, of ONS Centre for ing and Demography, said that data may change once coronavirus pandemic is completely over as se projections are based on tion that current mortality rates, which are extraordinarily high, will continue for rest of someone's life.

It is likely that after coronavirus pandemic is over and repercussions for future mortality are recognised, life expectancy may begin to improve again, Cobb explained, ding that usually, life expectancy in UK and around world rises over time, with only a few exceptions. According to Oxford University research, COVID-19 pandemic caused life expectancy to drop across most European countries and United States in 2020, on a scale t seen since World War II.

'SARS-CoV-2 virus will weaken over time'

It must be mentioned here that creator of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Dame Sarah Gilbert said that dely coronavirus will have to eve immune system in coming days. His statement comes a month after World Health Organisation warned that COVID-19 may be nearing some kind of st of 'endemicity.'

Gilbert furr claimed that virus will weaken over time which will eventually stop dely infection from spreing. Explaining furr about spreing tendency of virus, scientist said that SARS-CoV-2 virus would grow less virulent over time. 

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