People are living longer, but also spending more years sick

People worldwide are living longer than ever before, with global life expectancy at birth reaching 73.8 years by 2023, up from 64.6 years in 1990. However, a study by the University of Washington, published in The Lancet Public Health, reveals that a significant portion of these additional years are being spent in poor health. The research highlights a growing "morbidity gap", the difference between total life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.

While healthy life expectancy also increased from 55.9 years to 63.1 years during the same period, the gains in overall lifespan have outpaced improvements in healthspan. The study, which analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease project from 1990 to 2023, found that this morbidity gap has widened in nearly all analyzed locations. Globally, the average number of years lived in poor health increased from 8.8 years to 10.7 years.

In 1990, individuals spent approximately 13.6% of their lives in poor health, a figure that rose to 14.5% by 2023. Christopher Murray, lead author of the study and director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, stated, "Our findings suggest that future progress in population health will be achieved not only by people living longer but also by people living healthier." He stressed that progress in healthy aging should be measured by healthspan, not just lifespan.

The burden of poor health varies significantly across regions. The study indicates that the longest periods spent in ill health are concentrated in richer countries. Researchers advocate for increased investment in prevention, long-term disease management, and chronic care to reduce the number of years individuals endure poor health, ensuring that longer lives are also healthier lives.

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Our findings suggest that future progress in population health will be achieved not only by people living longer but also by people living healthier. Progress in healthy aging should not only be measured by longevity but also by healthspan, with increased investment in prevention, long-term disease management, and chronic care to reduce the years lived in poor health.