A groundbreaking study has confirmed a troubling trend: while global life expectancy is on the rise, the quality of those extra years is not keeping pace. According to new research from the Mayo Clinic, the United States is experiencing one of the most pronounced healthspan-lifespan gaps, highlighting a growing disparity between the length of life and the number of years spent in good health.
The study, which analyzed data from 183 member nations of the World Health Organization (WHO), found that while global life expectancy increased by 6.5 years between 2000 and 2019, health-adjusted life expectancy – or “healthspan” – only increased by 5.4 years. For many, the added years of life are being burdened by chronic illness and disability, further underscoring the need for urgent healthcare reforms.
In the U.S., the gap between lifespan and healthspan is growing particularly wide. Life expectancy for women increased from 79.2 years in 2000 to 80.7 years in 2019, while for men, it grew from 74.1 years to 76.3 years. However, when adjusting for healthy years of life, the situation is stark. For U.S. men, health-adjusted life expectancy increased by only 0.6 years, and for women, healthspan stagnated at the same level seen in 2000.
This means that if an American woman lives to the average age of 80.7, she could expect the last 12.4 years of her life to be marked by disability or disease. For men, the situation is similarly concerning, with many facing chronic conditions in their later years.
Researchers Armin Garmany and Andre Terzic of the Mayo Clinic point out that the healthspan-lifespan gap in the U.S. is now 29% higher than the global average. This disparity reflects the fact that Americans are living longer lives, but those additional years are often plagued by preventable health issues.
The healthspan-lifespan gap is also particularly notable among women, who tend to experience a higher burden of noncommunicable diseases such as musculoskeletal, genitourinary, and neurological diseases in later life. The largest gaps in healthspan and lifespan were found in nations such as the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Norway. On the other hand, countries with smaller gaps, such as Lesotho and Somalia, have fewer resources and healthcare access, underscoring the need for equitable solutions.
In response to these findings, the WHO introduced a new metric in 2020 known as Health Life Expectancy (HALE), aimed at measuring the burden of disease and disability in older populations. WHO and the United Nations launched a 10-year action plan, calling for better data on the health status of older people and the need to address significant health disparities.
The Mayo Clinic’s study is a direct response to this global call. By comparing global trends, Garmany and Terzic highlight the critical need for policies that not only focus on extending life but also on improving the quality of those additional years. The researchers argue that the widening healthspan-lifespan gap demands a holistic approach to healthcare that addresses the underlying causes of chronic disease, from environmental factors to healthcare access.
To close this growing health gap, experts stress the need for multifaceted solutions that span from individual lifestyle changes to national healthcare policy reforms. This includes greater emphasis on preventive care, improved access to healthcare services, and public health campaigns focused on chronic disease management and health equity.
“The gap between lifespan and healthspan is not inevitable,” says Dr. Andre Terzic, a cardiovascular health researcher at the Mayo Clinic. “We must find ways to extend not only the number of years we live, but the number of healthy years.”
This study serves as a clarion call for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities to work together in building a future where longevity is matched by quality of life.
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