Beijingers life expectancy similar to developed nations

Beijing residents' life expectancy has reached 81.35 years, similar to that in developed countries, said the annual health report issued by the city's health bureau.

In Beijing, male life expectancy reached 79.35, and female 83.42, making the city's residents' life expectancy 7.85 years more than the national average.

Accompanying the higher life expectancy is the increase of prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In 2011, the prevalence of cancer reached 303.25 per 100,000 people, increasing by 0.44 percent from that of the year before.

To combat the diseases, the city is starting a program to detect and treat chronic disease at early stages and recruiting volunteers to promote healthy lifestyles to the neighborhoods.