prognosis of schizophrenia prognosis of schizophrenia the prognosis of schizophrenia is varied at the individual level. in general it has great human and economics costs. it results in a decreased life expectancy of 12–15 years primarily due to its association with obesity, little exercise, and smoking, while an increased rate of suicide plays a lesser role. these differences in life expectancy increased between the 1970s and 1990s, and between the 1990s and 2000s. this difference has not substantially changed in finland for example – where there is a health system with open access to care.