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December 18, 2024 01:19 PM IST
We are living longer than ever before in human history. But a study with data from 183 countries shows that living longer doesn’t always mean being healthy.
New research has found that the gap between life span and ‘health span’ – meaning years of life lived in good health – is becoming ‘wider’. Using data from the World Health Organization (WHO), a recent study published in JAMA Network Open found ‘a widening gap between life expectancy and health’ among 183 countries; In America, it is the widest in the world. Read this also Cracking the code to live longer: Eat more protein. Study shows how it works
The average American will live 12.4 years with a disability and/or disease, up from 10.9 years in 2000, the researchers said. He called the health-span gap a ‘universal threat to healthy longevity’.
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Globally, we are living longer than ever before in human history. But we don’t always consider what those extra years of life will look like. “The data show that gains in longevity are not matched by equivalent advances in healthy longevity. Dr. Andre Terzik, senior author of the study, said aging often means greater disease burden for more years of life. He added, “This research has important practice and policy implications by drawing attention to the growing threat to quality and need for longevity.” To close the health-lifespan gap.”
More information about the study
It examined data from 183 WHO member countries, covering life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy, and compared results for men and women. The findings cover a period of nearly two decades from 2000 to 2019. Globally, they found that life expectancy increased from 79.2 years to 80.7 years for women and from 74.1 years to 76.3 years for men. The African countries Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi, Ethiopia and Zambia saw the largest increases in life expectancy.
However, the same level of increase in health span was not observed. This resulted in an average difference of 9.6 years between life span and health span, an increase of 13 percent since 2000.
On a country-by-country basis, the US comes out on top in terms of the gap between life span and health span – 29 percent higher than the global average. The US also reported the highest rates of chronic disease among the population, including mental health issues, substance use disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
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