Global life expectancy rises, but healthy years lag behind

Globally, people are living longer, but not necessarily healthier lives. A study analyzing data from 204 countries between 1990 and 2023 reveals that while life expectancy has increased by an average of 9.2 years, the number of years lived in good health has only grown by 7.2 years.

This widening gap, termed the "morbidity gap," has increased by nearly two years to an average of 10.7 years. This means individuals are spending a greater proportion of their lives, about 14.5%, living with illness or disability. The research, published in The Lancet Public Health, indicates that this trend is not confined to old age but affects adults across their lifespan.

The study found that developed nations, characterized by higher incomes and better healthcare infrastructure, exhibit a more pronounced morbidity gap. The United States recorded the largest gap at 14 years in 2023, followed by Australia and Canada. South Korea ranked 48th with an 11.6-year gap, an increase from 9.4 years in 1990.

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This means people are spending more time living with illness or disability.

Women, across all income levels, experience a longer morbidity gap than men, living an average of 12.1 years with illness compared to men's 9.3 years. The primary contributors to this reduced health span are not fatal diseases but chronic conditions that diminish daily quality of life. Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly lower back pain, were the most prevalent, followed by mental health issues like depression and anxiety, sensory impairments, and injuries from falls.

Researchers emphasize a shift in public health focus from merely extending lifespan to promoting healthy longevity. Key risk factors identified include high blood sugar, obesity, smoking, and malnutrition in developing regions, while in high-income countries, factors like obesity, diabetes, smoking, poor diet, and substance abuse contribute significantly to the growing morbidity gap. The study's lead author, Christopher Murray, urged for urgent efforts in chronic disease prevention and treatment to shorten the period individuals live with illness.

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health policies should focus on how long people live healthily, not just on extending lifespan.