Recent research indicates that the disparity between lifespan and 'healthspan'—the duration of life spent in good health—is expanding. Utilizing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), a new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a significant 'widening gap between lifespan and healthspan' across 183 countries, with the United States exhibiting the largest gap globally.

The researchers noted that the average American is expected to live 12.4 years with disabilities or illnesses, an increase from 10.9 years in 2000. They characterized the healthspan-lifespan gap as a 'universal threat to healthy longevity.'

What growing older means

On a global scale, human beings are living longer than at any previous point in history. However, the quality of those additional years is often overlooked. “The data indicate that improvements in longevity are not accompanied by similar progress in healthy longevity. Aging frequently results in more years of life encumbered by illness,” stated Dr. Andre Terzic, the study's senior author. He emphasized that this research has significant implications for practice and policy, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing threat to the quality of longevity and to bridge the healthspan-lifespan divide.

More about the study

The study analyzed data from 183 WHO member states, focusing on life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy while comparing outcomes for both genders. The findings span nearly two decades, from 2000 to 2019. It was observed that global lifespan increased from 79.2 years to 80.7 years for women and from 74.1 years to 76.3 years for men, with the most significant increases occurring in African countries such as Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Zambia.

Conversely, healthspan did not experience a corresponding increase, leading to an average gap of 9.6 years between lifespan and healthspan, which represents a 13 percent rise since 2000.

The United States ranks highest among countries regarding the disparity between lifespan and healthspan, exceeding the global average by 29 percent. Additionally, the US has the highest prevalence of chronic diseases within its population, with notable contributing factors such as mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and musculoskeletal ailments.

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