We are living longer but the gap between our lifespan and our 'healthspan' is getting bigger

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-12-12 03:00

Australia; New Zealand; International

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We might be living longer, but the gap between our healthspan—years lived in good health—and our lifespan is getting bigger, according to international research. The researchers found that this gap has widened globally over the last two decades, extending to 9.6 years. The gap in Australia was 12.1 years and in New Zealand it was 11.8 years, putting us near the top of the leaderboard, only being beaten by the US, which has a lifespan-healthspan gap of 12.4 years. The healthspan-lifespan gap was also 2.4 years wider in women than men. The researchers say these findings suggest that the healthspan-lifespan gap is a universal threat to healthy longevity.

Media release

From: JAMA

Global Healthspan-Lifespan Gaps Among 183 WHO Member States

JAMA Network Open
Original Investigation

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

About The Study: This study identifies growing healthspan (years lived in good health)-lifespan gaps around the globe, threatening healthy longevity across worldwide populations. Women globally exhibited a larger healthspan-lifespan gap than men.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Mayo Clinic, USA

Funder: This study was supported by the Marriott Family Foundation, National Institutes of Health (R01 HL134664), and National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32 GM145408).

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