Predictive capacity of country inflation rate to life expectancy at birth

Abstract

Life expectancy has long been considered to be among the most relevant indicators of public health and economic development. With this in mind, this study determined the association of the inflation rate of a country to the population's life expectancy within 120 selected countries. The study utilized an ecological study design where existing data and statistics on inflation rates and life expectancy per country for the year 2017 from World Bank databases were collated. In classifying the countries as high life expectancy and low life expectancy, the median was identified. To further establish, describe, and explain the relationship between life expectancy and inflation rate, binary logistic regression was utilized. The result indicated that the inflation rate of a country significantly predicts its life expectancy outcomes. The analysis also reveals an inverse relationship, with life expectancy being lowered by approximately 20% for each unit of increase in the inflation rate. The financial capability of the older person does not only cover expenses for daily living but the expenses for health security. Continuous increase in the inflation rate would lessen their financial security affecting expenses for health. Therefore, changes in the economic status of a country because of its inflation rate can be counted among the factors that predict the length of life of its population. The increasing inflation rate prominently decreases the average life span of a nation's populace. Policies should be introduced to address the economic concerns of a nation since these also impact the health status of its populace.