While life expectancy continues to rise, many people are spending more of their later years in poor health, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. The research highlights a growing “healthspan-lifespan gap,” revealing that people are living longer but not necessarily healthier lives.
In 2019, the global gap between lifespan and healthspan was 9.6 years, a 13% increase from 8.5 years in 2000. The U.S. reported the widest gap, with Americans spending an average of 12.4 years in poor health, compared to 10.9 years in 2000.
The U.S. Faces the Largest Healthspan-Lifespan Gap
The U.S. was found to have the largest healthspan-lifespan gap among the 183 countries studied. Researchers noted that the country also has the highest burden of chronic diseases, largely driven by mental illness, substance use disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory, which included statistics on life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy, was analyzed to assess years lived with disease for each country.
Mental Health and Chronic Conditions Lead the Charge
According to Dr. Andre Terzic, the lead author of the study and a cardiovascular expert at Mayo Clinic, while life expectancy has improved globally, these gains have not been matched with an equivalent increase in healthy living years.
“Advances in longevity are a significant milestone, but improvements in life expectancy haven’t been mirrored by an expansion in healthy longevity,” Dr. Terzic told.
Gender Disparities in Healthspan
The study also revealed a gender gap, with women experiencing more years in poor health compared to men. While women typically live longer than men worldwide, they also face a 2.4-year wider healthspan-lifespan gap.
In the U.S., women were found to have a higher non-communicable disease burden, particularly from musculoskeletal, genitourinary, and neurological diseases.
Moving Toward Proactive, Wellness-Focused Healthcare
The study’s findings point to the urgent need for a shift toward proactive, wellness-focused healthcare systems. Dr. Terzic advocates for further research to understand the demographic, economic, and health factors contributing to the healthspan-lifespan gap.
“To address these issues, we must pivot toward a healthcare system that emphasizes prevention and overall wellness,” he said.
Contributing Factors: Diet, Stress, and Chronic Conditions
Dr. Grant Antoine, a naturopathic doctor and clinical lead at Viome, highlighted several factors widening the health span-lifespan gap in the U.S. Despite medical advancements extending life expectancy, issues like poor diet, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles, and preventable diseases continue to impact overall health.
“While we’ve made strides in extending life, we haven’t fully addressed the root causes of poor health,” Dr. Antoine explained. “To close the gap, we need to focus on personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions that account for individual biology.”
Closing the Gap with Personalized Nutrition
Dr. Antoine emphasizes the need for a personalized approach to nutrition, as a one-size-fits-all diet is ineffective. “Personalized, science-backed nutrition based on individual biology is key to closing the healthspan-lifespan gap,” he added.
Conclusion
To achieve not just a longer life but a healthier one, experts suggest focusing on preventive care, personalized nutrition, and lifestyle changes. By addressing the root causes of poor health, such as poor nutrition and chronic conditions, we can work to close the growing gap between lifespan and healthspan.
Source: FOX News