Some people around the world are living longer, although they may not be living more healthily. A worldwide survey recently looked at life expectancy across the globe, but also took into account the wellness of people in their later years, with surprising results.
Hale and hearty
The Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE) survey looked into longevity around the world and found that in some countries people are living longer. Results reveal that across the world men are living 4.7 years longer and women living 5.1 years longer in 2010 compared with 1990. These global figures could be the result of many factors, from health campaigns designed to protect wellbeing to better nutrition. Researchers have pointed out that although we may all be living longer, we may not be living as healthily as we could. In fact, the figures show that although men live 4.7 years more, only 3.9 of these years are lived in good health. The figure for women living in good health is 4 years.
More than longevity
Professor Joshua Salomon from Harvard School of Public Health points out that there’s more to living a healthy life than just living longer. It seems that global life expectancy has increased but HALE has not increased in line with this. Some people who live longer now than they would have done in 1990 suffer from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or conditions associated with wear and tear, like osteoarthritis. As well as physical issues affecting wellbeing and longevity, the study also shows that mental health problems, like depression can also effect those living longer. In addition, drug and alcohol problems are impacting the health of some as they get older, indicating that healthy lifestyles with moderate alcohol intake could have an anti-ageing impact on global life expectancy. Also, services that spot and care for those with mental health problems could make our twilight years more healthy and happy.
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