Living Longer Does Not Mean Living Healthier: A Study’s Findings
A recent study, published in JAMA Network Open, emphasizes that living longer does not necessarily translate into living healthier. With data analyzed from 183 countries, it was discovered that there is a ‘widening gap between lifespan and healthspan.’
Healthspan-Lifespan Gap
As of 2019, the global healthspan-lifespan gap was reported at 9.6 years, indicating an alarming increase of 13% from 8.5 years in 2000. This gap was particularly pronounced in the United States, where individuals spend an average of 12.4 years in poor health—up from 10.9 years two decades prior.
The study also pinpointed that the U.S. holds the highest burden of chronic disease, largely driven by issues such as mental illness, substance use disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Andre Terzic, the leading author of the study and the Marriott family professor at Mayo Clinic, described the healthspan-lifespan gap as a “universal threat to healthy longevity”. He stated, ‘Advances in longevity are a major milestone for humankind—gains in life expectancy, however, have not been matched with an equivalent expansion in healthy longevity.’
Gender and Health Disparities
The research also identified a gender gap, revealing that women experience more years in poor health compared to men. Dr. Terzic noted, ‘Worldwide, women live longer than men, but exhibit a 2.4-year-wider healthspan-lifespan gap.’
In the U.S., women notably carry a higher burden of non-communicable diseases, which includes musculoskeletal, genitourinary, and neurological conditions.
The call for a transformation towards proactive, wellness-centric care systems was emphasized, noting the urgency for addressing these disparities.
Dr. Terzic concluded, ‘Further study is needed to identify demographic, economic and health drivers of the healthspan-lifespan gap.’
Implications of Nutrition on Health
Alongside Dr. Terzic’s findings, Grant Antoine, a naturopathic doctor and clinical lead at Viome, advocated for personalized nutrition as a pathway to close the healthspan-lifespan gap. He argued that while medical advancements have improved life expectancy, they have failed to tackle root causes of poor health, such as diet, chronic stress, and sedentary lifestyles.
‘We need to prioritize personalized, science-backed nutrition based on individual biology rather than a one-size-fits-all diet,’ he suggests. This point underscores the essential role of tailored dietary practices in achieving healthier and longer lives.
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