Final answer:
The life expectancy in favelas is lower due to factors like lack of public services, inadequate healthcare, and poor living conditions. Overcrowding, crime, and economic disparities further contribute to the health risks faced by residents of these urban slums.
Step-by-step explanation:
The life expectancy in favelas is lower compared to the rest of Brazil due to several factors. Favelas, often starting as self-constructed slums, lack proper ownership rights, public services, and municipal security. Overcrowding, insufficient infrastructure, and the presence of crime and gangs contribute to adverse living conditions that negatively impact health outcomes. Moreover, these communities face challenges such as limited access to healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and higher rates of infectious diseases and infant mortality.
Inhabitants of favelas are also impacted by broader issues affecting urban centers in Brazil and other low-income countries, such as poverty, undernourishment, illiteracy, and general economic disparities. The struggle for resources and services is exacerbated by rapid urban expansion, making it difficult to extend amenities to these areas. These conditions align with global patterns where people living in poverty have a higher risk of mortality and shorter life spans.