Life expectancy has drop drop significantly, at a scale not seen for decades. Official figures reveal that this is because their lifestyles have become more like men.
In 2012, figures suggested falls in average life expectancy for females in their 60, 70s, 80s and 90s. A drop in all such age group had not been seen since 1995.
The results suggest that the average woman age 75 can expect to live 13.1 years; five weeks less than in 2011.
The average life expectancy for women age 85 is now 6.8 years. This is a fall of two and a half months, in two years.
On the other year, the statistics revealed increases among men in their 60s and 70s hampered, while life expectancy decreased among older men.
