To understand the life expectancy of residents in Xinjiang production and Construction Group, from 1997 to 1999.
Stratified cluster sampling method was used to obtain mortality rate, sequence of death causes, life expectancy, life eliminated major cause of deaths, years of potential life lost (YPLL) and level of long life. These indeices were used to compare and analyze health status on residents in the area.
The life expectancy on residents in the area was 75.61 years old for all residents, 72.73 years old for males, 80.02 years old for females from 1997 to 1999. The life expectancy for people living in agricultural and livestock farms was lower (73.97 years old). It was found that life expectancy was parallel to the level of economy. Life expectancy of northern residents was higher than those living in the southern and eastern parts of the area. The annual average mortality rate of the residents was 5.17 per thousand (standard mortality rate 4.02 per thousand ). The sequence of major causes of death was shown as below: malignant tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory system diseases, cardiac diseases, accidental deaths, infectious diseases, certain conditions originated in the perinatal period. In the life eliminated major cause of deaths, respiratory system diseases and certain conditions originated in the perinatal period were higher than others. In both sequences of YPLL and SYPLL for major causes of death, accidental death was always in the leading place. There was a higher longevity on residents from the better economic area.
Higher life expectancy in the area was noticed, but the differences among the different area were bigger. In order to improve the level of health on all residents in the area, it is necessary to strengthen the administration on social and natural environment of the area. Furthermore, decreasing accidental deaths, controlling respiratory system diseases (especially for infant) and improving health care of infants in perinatal period are very important tasks in the area.