According to recent research, people worldwide are living longer lives, but these longer lifespans aren’t always healthier. A study focusing on 183 countries that are members of the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that the extra years gained often come with a rise in illness.
Recent findings indicate that while individuals globally are experiencing increased longevity, these extra years may not equate to improved health, as revealed by a study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers. Dr. Andre Terzic, M.D., Ph.D., and Armin Garmany’s work identifies a growing discrepancy between overall lifespan and healthy lifespan. Their findings are detailed in JAMA Network Open.
“Our findings suggest that while we are living longer, those additional years are often marred by illness,” stated Dr. Terzic, the study’s senior author. “This underscores the need for heightened awareness concerning the quality of our extended lives and emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between healthspan and lifespan.”
Dr. Terzic holds the position of Marriott Family Director at the Comprehensive Cardiac Regenerative Medicine department at the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, as well as serving as the Marriott Family Professor of Cardiovascular Research.
Largest Gap in Lifespan and Healthspan Noted in the U.S.
Between 2000 and 2019, life expectancy surged from 79.2 to 80.7 years for women, and from 74.1 to 76.3 years for men, as per WHO estimations. While healthspan denotes the years lived in good health without disease, the duration of healthy living did not see a proportional increase. In 2019, the global average gap between lifespan and healthspan was recorded at 9.6 years, marking a 13% rise since 2000.
The United States exhibited the most significant disparity globally, with Americans averaging 12.4 years in poor health conditions. This represents an increase from 10.9 years in 2000, correlating with the U.S. reporting the highest levels of chronic disease. Mental health issues, substance use disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions were major contributors to the national illness burden.
This study also uncovered a 25% gender gap globally; across the 183 countries, women faced a 2.4-year larger gap between lifespan and healthspan compared to men. Neurological, musculoskeletal, urinary, and genital tract health issues were significant factors leading to extended periods of poor health among women.
“The observed widening gap between healthspan and lifespan calls for a shift towards proactive wellness-oriented healthcare systems,” stated Armin Garmany, the lead author of the study and a student pursuing both an M.D. and Ph.D. at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “Recognizing the unique contributors to this gap in various regions can guide specific healthcare approaches tailored to each area.”
Research on Healthspan
The Mayo Clinic research team leveraged statistics from the WHO Global Health Observatory. This study provided insights into life expectancy, health-adjusted life expectancy, years lived with diseases, and years lost to premature death among member states. The healthspan-lifespan gap for each state was assessed by deducting health-adjusted life expectancy from overall life expectancy.
To further understand the patterns contributing to healthspan-lifespan disparities, the research team advocates for a deeper investigation into demographic, health, and economic factors. The funding for this research was provided by the Marriott Family Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
