Average life expectancy for men in Ukraine is 66 years - expert

The average life expectancy for Ukrainian men is 66 years, which is 11 years less than in Western Europe, Deputy Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Ukraine Nicolas Guigas has said.

He stated this during the National Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) on Tuesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The life expectancy at birth for men is only 66 years and something, which is extremely low compared to Western Europe. It's something like 11 years less. It's not only statistics. I think it's worrisome statistics, and behind the statistics it's a human tragedy, not only for people passing away or being sick because of NCDs, but especially for women because women live much longer. And in the end, they live alone. And very often they live not only alone but also without receiving support from their husbands, especially financial support," Guigas said.

According to him, the main causes of high mortality rates are noncommunicable diseases, the development of which can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.

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