[jb6]

From your article:

"A decline in life expectancy this dramatic has never happened in the postwar world.

And yet, go check the out there info on CIA World Fact Book, the average life expectancy has been climbing for several years now.

[elli1]

October 11, 2005 According to a report, average life expectancy in Russia is now 12 years less than in the United States and other developed countries, and the rate of infant mortality is 1.5-2 times as high.

The average life expectancy for women in Russia is 72.3 years, whereas the figure for men - 58.9 years - is significantly lower.

Source