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4mo ago

U.S. Leads World in Years Spent in Poor Health Despite Longer Lifespans

A growing gap between lifespan and healthspan highlights chronic disease and systemic health challenges in the United States.

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The US Has The World’s Largest Gap Between Lifespan And Healthspan
Health Gap at End of Life Is Now Wider in US Than Any Other Country
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Overview

  • New research shows Americans experience an average of 12.4 years of poor health at the end of life, the largest gap globally between lifespan and healthspan.
  • The U.S. also reports the highest prevalence of chronic diseases, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and obesity, contributing significantly to the healthspan-lifespan gap.
  • While global life expectancy has increased, gains in healthy years of life have not kept pace, with the U.S. lagging behind other wealthy nations in health outcomes.
  • Drug overdoses and obesity are major drivers of declining health in the U.S., with drug-related mortality rates projected to remain the highest in the world by 2050.
  • Experts call for wellness-focused healthcare reforms to address systemic issues and reduce the growing burden of disease and disability in aging populations.