According to new data world-wide, women’s life expectancies are taking a downturn.

The shift is affecting rural low income women most and is not exclusive to one ethnic group. Diseases like lung cancer and diabetes are being blamed for the new statistics.

«The trend appears to be driven by increases in death from diabetes, lung cancer, emphysema and kidney failure. It reflects the long-term consequences of smoking, a habit that women took up in large numbers decades after men did, and the slowing of the historic decline in heart disease deaths.

It may also represent the leading edge of the obesity epidemic. If so, women’s life expectancy could decline broadly across the United States in coming years, ending a nearly unbroken rise that dates to the mid-1800s.»

For the full WaPo article, click HERE.

Overall, American women’s life expectancy rates were affected mostly by things like obesity and cigarette use, which are described as “modifiable habits”.

So, please, ladies, put out those cigarettes, think twice about the trans-fat consumption, and go for walks with your girlfriends. We can do better!