[Non-homogeneity of the average life span in Slovakia]

The life expectancy at birth of males in the Slovak Republic (SR) is one of the shortest in Europe. Exact explanation of this phenomenon is still unknown. The statistical significance of the relation between life expectancy and various factors (infant mortality rate, ethnical structure, educational level, religious belief, economic activity of inhabitants and environmental factors) was analysed by multifactorial methods in all 38 districts of Slovakia. A surprising paradox phenomenon was observed in the areas with the highest pollutant emissions, where the life expectancy was the longest. Infant mortality rate, ethnical structure and particularly the educational level of the districts were significantly correlated with life expectancy. The life expectancy was negatively influenced mostly by the proportion of elementary--educated males. We suppose the style of life presents the background of these relations, but there is a lack of statistically reliable data from the individual districts of SR for more profound analysis. It must be stressed that neither the statistically high significant correlation is evidence of the causal connection between observed parameters. (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 16.)