Study reveals that longer periods of poor health are associated with increased mortality towards the end of life.
Among the countries examined, the US exhibited the most significant difference between healthy years and total years of life.
Living longer doesn’t always mean living healthier.
A study published in JAMA Network Open revealed a growing disparity between lifespan and healthspan among 183 countries.
Mayo Clinic researchers discovered that the global "healthspan-lifespan gap" increased by 13% from 8.5 years in 2019 to 9.6 years in 2019.
In the U.S., the average lifespan of Americans is 12.4 years shorter than in 2000, making it the country with the largest health gap.
Mental illness, substance use disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions are the primary reasons for the "highest burden of chronic disease" in the U.S., according to researchers.
The WHO Global Health Observatory's data was analyzed by researchers, including life expectancy, health-adjusted life expectancy, and years lived with disease for each country.
The healthspan-lifespan gap poses a "universal threat to healthy longevity," according to Dr. Andre Terzic, the Marriott family professor of cardiovascular research at Mayo Clinic.
Gains in life expectancy have not been matched with an equivalent expansion in healthy longevity, according to what he told Planet Chronicle Digital.
Women experienced more years in poor health than men, contributing to a gender gap.
According to Terzic, although women globally live longer than men, they have a 2.4-year wider healthspan-lifespan gap.
"Women in the U.S. had a greater burden of non-communicable diseases, with musculoskeletal, genitourinary, and neurological conditions being particularly significant contributors."
According to Terzic, the study findings suggest the need for a "proactive, wellness-centric care system" to be implemented at an accelerated pace.
"To determine the demographic, economic, and health factors contributing to the healthspan-lifespan disparity, additional research is required."
The study was supported by the Marriott Family Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
Personalized nutrition is key, doctor says
Dr. Grant Antoine, a naturopathic doctor and clinical lead at Viome, a health care testing company in Bellevue, Washington, stated that several factors have contributed to the widening healthspan-lifespan gap in the U.S.
He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that although medical advancements have increased life expectancy, they haven't tackled the underlying causes of poor health, including diet, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles, and preventable diseases.
"The complexity of eating healthy is exacerbated by the lack of a definitive solution."
According to Antoine, some of the key factors contributing to aging and reduced healthspan are poor nutrition, imbalanced gut health, and chronic inflammation.
He recommended prioritizing personalized, science-backed nutrition based on each individual's biology to close the healthspan-lifespan gap in the U.S.
For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health
"A one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition does not exist, and individualized nutrition plans are crucial for promoting optimal health and longevity."
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