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As others have mentioned, this is true, but is a great illustration of how averages are extremely misleading when representing non-normally distributed data, and are used excessively in popular culture and media. Modal (most common single digit) lifespan of hunter gatherers is usually in the 70s, despite low averages (mean) due to high infant mortality [1]. Modern health care massively reduced infant mortality, but doesn't change mortality much in middle years, when most people don't actually need any healthcare.

[1] https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-3...




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