CUBA: Social Programmes Will Help Increase Life Expectancy

HAVANA, Cuba (Prensa Latina), July 23, 2007: The Cuban people have access to decent jobs, education and healthcare, so conditions exist for them to prolong their life with good quality and on equal basis. Precisely, those three elementary human rights are the foundation of more than 200 social programs being implemented in Cuba to improve the people's welfare and increase life expectancy, which is 76.8 years at present. Currently, 1.7 million Cubans (15.6% of the population) are over 60 years of age. Experts predict one-fourth of Cuban citizens will be over that age by 2025, so the Caribbean island will have the oldest population in Latin America, but it will also have the best welfare. The island nation is one of Latin American countries with highest life expectancy, along with Uruguay and Argentina, says Juan Carlos Alfonso, head of the Center for Studies on Population and Development, attached to the National Statistics Office. He believes that by 2050 the Cuban people's average age will be one of the highest in the world. People will age gradually as life expectancy will increase and the birth and mortality rates will continue to decline. More than 14,000 senior citizens' clubs will operate in the country, as well as 170 community houses for the elderly and several geriatric centers or homes to guarantee a satisfactory and active life at old age. Copyright © 2006 - All Rights Reserved. Prensa Latina