Global healthspan-lifespan gaps among 183 World Health Organization member states (11 December 2024)

Summary

What is the healthspan-lifespan gap, representing the number of years burdened by disease, in men and women across the world?

This cross-sectional study quantified healthspan-lifespan gaps among 183 World Health Organization member states. Globally, the mean healthspan-lifespan gap was 9.6 years, and women exhibited a mean 2.4-year larger gap than men, associated with a disproportionately larger burden of noncommunicable diseases in women.

These findings suggest that the healthspan-lifespan gap is a universal threat to healthy longevity.