Global Study Shows Lifespan Gains Outpace Healthy Years
A multinational analysis published in The Lancet Public Health finds that life expectancy at birth rose from 64.6 years in 1990 to 73.8 years in 2023, while healthy life expectancy increased more modestly from 55.9 to 63.1 years. The resulting “morbidity gap” – years lived with poor health – widened from 8.8 years to 10.7 years, raising the share of life spent in ill health from 13.6 % to 14.5 %. The gap is largest in wealthier nations; the United States records a 14‑year gap, followed by Australia (13.9 years) and Canada (13.7 years). Women experience a larger gap than men (average 12.1 years vs. 9.3 years). The study identifies non‑fatal conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental‑health problems and sensory loss as the main drivers, with risk factors including obesity, high blood sugar, smoking and poor nutrition. Lead author Christopher Murray stresses that progress in healthy ageing must be measured by healthspan, not just lifespan, and calls for greater investment in prevention and chronic‑care management.