The average life expectancy of women in Shanghai was at 84.8 years in 2011, 4.5 years more than that of men and equal to that of developed countries.

The figures were released at a conference of the Shanghai Municipal Women and Children Committee on Jan 15, according to the Oriental Morning Post.

In addition, the maternal death rate for women living in Shanghai was 7.36/100,000, and the infant mortality rate was 5.7 percent. The mortality rate for children under five in the city was 3.62 percent.

In 2012, the local health authority organized free health checks for gynecological and mastopathy diseases for more than 530,000 retired women and economically disadvantaged women. More than 20,000 couples eligible to give birth to one child were offered free pre-pregnancy health checks.

The key health indicators in 2012 show that Shanghai residents' health maintained the average standard of developed countries and regions in the world, according to data released at the conference.

The city pledged to continue improving health care for women and children in 2013, including carrying out projects like free disease screenings for newborns and free health checks for children under 6.

wuni@chinadaily.com.cn