Global life expectancy climbed to 73.8 years in 2023, according to a recent study published in The Lancet Public Health by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. However, the data reveals that humans are spending a growing portion of that extended lifespan dealing with chronic illness, physical decline, and disability.
Did You Know?
According to Global Burden of Disease data analyzed through 2023, an average of 14.5% of human life is now spent in poor health globally, up from 13.6% in 1990.
The Widening Morbidity Gap in the United States and Worldwide
The "morbidity gap"—the span of years individuals navigate chronic health challenges—widened across 203 of the 204 countries analyzed by IHME scientists. Researchers found this phenomenon most pronounced in the United States, where the gap spans roughly 14 years, or 17.8% of the expected American lifespan. Globally, life expectancy at birth jumped from 64.6 years in 1990 to 73.8 years in 2023, while healthy life expectancy moved from 55.9 years to 63.1 years over the same period.
Dr. Antony Chu, clinical assistant professor at Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital that modern medicine excels at delaying death rather than delaying functional decline. Chu noted that treatments successfully reduce mortality from cancer, cardiovascular disease, trauma, and infections, but leave patients managing chronic pain, sensory loss, and depression.
What Drives the Global Increase in Years Lived with Disability?
Scientists observing the data noted that a handful of largely non-fatal causes drive the bulk of years lived in poor health. Musculoskeletal disorders like low back pain, mental health challenges including depression and anxiety, hearing loss, and falls account for approximately 57% of all years lived with disability worldwide. Researchers also identified high fasting plasma glucose, aging populations, and obesity as major contributors.
Wealthier nations experienced the widest expansion of the morbidity gap, primarily because populations there enjoy access to advanced life-extending resources. Furthermore, data shows women outlive men but spend a higher number of total years managing poor health. Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the IHME and senior author of the study, emphasized in a news release that future population health gains require focusing on healthspan—the number of years spent in good health—alongside lifespan.
Pro Tip for Healthy Aging
Dr. Antony Chu recommends incorporating progressive resistance training, fall prevention strategies, and early intervention for chronic back pain as core preventive health measures to preserve mobility.
Shifting Focus from Lifespan to Functional Healthspan
Medical professionals argue that altering the trajectory of aging requires routine functional assessments. Chu advocates for regularly evaluating mobility, muscle strength, balance, hearing, cognition, and physical resilience alongside standard vital metrics like blood pressure and cholesterol. Detecting functional decline early allows for interventions before minor issues turn into overt disabilities.
Addressing mental health and social isolation is equally critical for extending healthspan. According to Chu, conditions like hearing loss, anxiety, and loneliness intersect to accelerate physical decline. He also highlights a distinct cultural dimension often overlooked in America, noting that older adults in many international societies maintain active, respected roles within multigenerational families. This enduring sense of purpose and community connection offers tangible protection against depression and loss of identity, contrasting with the social isolation many older Americans face.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the morbidity gap?
The morbidity gap is the difference between total lifespan and healthy life expectancy, representing the number of years individuals live with chronic disease, pain, or disability.
How wide is the morbidity gap in the United States?
In the United States, the morbidity gap spans approximately 14 years, accounting for 17.8% of the expected lifespan, according to data analyzed through 2023.
What are the main contributors to years spent in poor health?
Musculoskeletal disorders like low back pain, mental health conditions such as depression, hearing loss, falls, obesity, and high fasting plasma glucose are the primary drivers of poor health years globally.
How can people improve their healthspan?
Experts suggest focusing on functional preservation through resistance training, fall prevention, early detection of sensory and cognitive decline, and maintaining strong social connections and a sense of purpose.
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