Life expectancy, improvements

Modern technology has reduced the size of motors, increased their expected life and improved their resistance to dirt and corrosion. Other important developments of the last 30 years are brushless excitation for synchronous motors and new two-speed, single-winding, induction motors. 

Unlike the automobile-type battery that is quite portable, the stationaiy lead-acid batteries that provide uninterruptible power to hospitals and other important facilities are not. Some may weigh over several tons because of the much heavier grid structure and other features to extend life expectancy and improve deep discharge capabilities. 

The second approach estimates the monetary value to individuals and society of health and social well-being and life per se. In practical terms this requires assessment of the amount of money which individuals would accept as compensation for reductions in health or life expectancy, or the amount they would be prepared to pay for improvements in health or life expectancy. The methodology for this approach is still being tested and developed. 

How does physical exercise alleviate depression One possibility is that it increases the release of endorphins that produce a sense of well-being, sometimes referred to as the runner s high . Another possibility is that it is a placebo effect. But even if it is a placebo effect, consider the differences between exercise and antidepressants in side effects. Side effects of antidepressants include sexual dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, drowsiness, seizures, diarrhoea and headaches. Side effects of physical exercise include enhanced libido, better sleep, decreased body fat, improved muscle tone, greater life expectancy, increased strength and endurance and improved cholesterol levels. So if both antidepressants and exercise work by means of the placebo effect, which placebo would you prefer ... 

Green tea has been used for generations in China as medicine to treat headaches, body aches, and poor digestion and to improve well-being and life expectancy. Ingredients in green tea include antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and caffeine. Green tea is probably safe in low doses, as it is consumed daily in many Asian cultures without reported side effects. 

Although therapeutic approaches based upon gene therapy (Chapter 14) may well one day cure cystic fibrosis, current therapeutic intervention focuses upon alleviating cystic fibrosis symptoms, particularly those relating to respiratory function. Improved patient care has increased life expectancy of cystic fibrosis patients to well into their 30s. The major elements of cystic fibrosis management include ... 

The evident biological changes related to menopause elicit a feeling of vulnerability in women that makes them more receptive to measures aimed at detecting or preventing risk situations and, consequently, improving health status and life expectancy. This opens an opportunity window that must be used to enhance the introduction of a new lifestyle and reinforce the acceptance of pharmacological preventive measures when needed. 

In Europe the number of elderly has increased during the last forty years and this demographic development is predicted to continue in the coming years (Council of Europe 2003). Rates of mortality improvement have accelerated over the last 100 years. Much of the rise in life expectancy is due to reductions in death rates at younger ages, but death rates are now also declining among the elderly. Approximately half of female and a third of male deaths occur after age 80 in developed countries (Kannisto et al. 1994). 

The rapid expansion of reverse osmosis technology during the past two decades has resulted in the development of a variety of new membranes. Unique polymer systems and fabrication methods have led to the production of membranes with significantly improved performance and reliability. In spite of these developments little is known about chemical sensitivity or life expectancy of reverse osmosis membranes used in desalting applications. Manufacturers are consequently reluctant to guarantee their products for long runs especially in unique chemical environments. 

The demographic shifts in life expectancy gains further complicate any analysis of the sources of longer life. To identify the specific role of pharmaceuticals in this remarkable trend, we focus on empirical research based on data from the last 20-30 years. The role of pharmaceutical products is not obvious, however, because of simultaneously increased average income, decreased poverty, greater and faster access to medical facilities, and improved training for health professionals, all of which combine with access to new and improved pharmaceutical products to yield longer life. 

Cutler and Kadiyala s (2003) estimates of life expectancy benefits associated with improved cardiovascular treatment suggest a high value of pharmaceutical products relative to costs. An analysis at the national level would provide confirmation that the value of pharmaceuticals is not limited to cardiovascular disease. Here we performed such an analysis for Canada, where the public funding of health care has led to extensive debate over its value and, more specifically, over the value of pharmaceutical products whose rate of growth within the health care budget continues to increase. 

However, the evidence relating pharmaceutical spending and health outcomes seems overwhelming. International studies, national studies, and disease-specific analyses indicate that pharmaceutical products have been a worthwhile investment over the last half century. With rates of return exceeding 10 to 1 based on measures of increased life expectancy alone, pharmaceutical products have successfully improved health outcomes in developed countries at a cost dwarfed by the value of increased longevity. 

In conclusion, we find that although some periods of time are likely to result in more productive discoveries than others, there is no evidence that gains from pharmaceutical discovery have been fiilly realized. To the contrary, it is likely that as valuable new pharmaceutical products are introduced, and drugs made more accessible to broader populations, further improvements in life expectancies will result. 

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