Addressing the Global Healthspan-Lifespan Gap
As humans continue to live longer lives, the question arises: how many of those additional years are spent in good health? A recent survey conducted across 183 member nations of the World Health Organization has shed light on a concerning trend – while life expectancy is on the rise, healthy life expectancy is not keeping pace.
Research from the Mayo Clinic has revealed that in 2019, people worldwide were living an average of 9.6 years burdened by disability or disease, marking a 13 percent increase from 2000. This is in stark contrast to the 6.5-year increase in overall life expectancy during the same period, with health-adjusted life expectancy only rising by 5.4 years.
The United States is experiencing a particularly wide gap between lifespan and ‘healthspan’. Despite an increase in life expectancy from 2000 to 2019, the additional years of healthy life added were minimal for both men and women. This discrepancy highlights a concerning trend where individuals may live longer lives but spend a significant portion of those years grappling with health issues.
Public health experts Armin Garmany and Andre Terzic emphasize the need to address this growing gap between longevity and healthy longevity. They stress the importance of focusing on quality of life in older age and closing the healthspan-lifespan disparity to ensure a better overall well-being for individuals.
The introduction of health life expectancy (HALE) by the WHO aims to measure the burden of disease and disability in older age, highlighting the importance of quality of life in later years. A global plan of action declared by WHO and the United Nations in 2020 emphasizes the need to strengthen measurement and address data gaps to ensure the well-being of older individuals.
Garmany and Terzic’s review of the last two decades underscores the widening chasm between longevity and healthy longevity on a global scale. This disparity poses a universal challenge that must be tackled through tailored interventions and policies to promote healthy aging.
It is crucial to delve deeper into the specific groups that are most affected by poor health in later years and devise strategies to support them in aging with dignity. Proactive wellness-centric care systems are essential to bridge the healthspan-lifespan gap and promote a higher quality of life for all individuals.
The gap between lifespan and healthspan is a pressing issue that demands attention and action at both a global and local level. By focusing on promoting healthy aging and addressing disparities in quality of life, we can work towards a future where individuals not only live longer but also enjoy a higher quality of life in their later years.
The study conducted by Garmany and Terzic has been published in JAMA Network Open.
