A scientific study has revealed that the rise in average life expectancy around the world has not been accompanied by a similar rise in years of good health, as almost one in seven people now suffer from health problems.
The research, which examined life expectancy in 204 countries, concluded that longevity does not necessarily equate to better health. Singapore topped the global rankings with a life expectancy exceeding 85 years, attributed to its advanced healthcare system, robust social security, and well-considered government policies.
Although Singaporeans live to 80 and above, they spend about 11.2 years of their lives in poor health, a phenomenon researchers call the "disease gap," the difference between life expectancy and the number of years spent in good health.
This phenomenon is global; between 1990 and 2023, the average life expectancy worldwide increased from 64.6 to 73.8 years, while years of good health did not keep pace with this progress.
In this context, a striking gender paradox emerges: women live longer than men, but they spend more years in poor health. This gap is particularly pronounced in Singapore, where women live only 4.4 years longer than men, but spend more than twice that amount of time in ill health.
The study showed that residents of the United States spend the longest period in poor health, averaging 14 years, followed by Australia and then Canada. The health gap is widening in almost all countries of the world, with the exception of Palestine.
The study identified the most prominent causes of ill health in the later years of life, which are: musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, psychological disorders, hearing problems, injuries resulting from falls, in addition to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, with particular emphasis on muscle, bone and joint problems.
Researchers believe that extending lifespan is no longer the sole measure of successful health; rather, the most important thing is ensuring a quality of life in the later years, so that it is full of vitality and not a constant struggle with disease.
