Study: Life Expectancy Gains Slowing
The Facts
Data from 10 of the world's longest-lived populations show that life expectancy improvements made in the 20th century have slowed in the last 30 years.
The study — published in Nature Aging on Tuesday — observed data between 1990 and 2019 from the US, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain.
The Spin
Narrative A
Despite concerns about slowing growth in life expectancy, many countries are still on track for significant gains by 2030. Even though some nations may lag behind, the overall trend is positive. Researchers emphasize that we're likely far from hitting any upper limit on human longevity, suggesting that with continued improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle, people around the world can look forward to longer, healthier lives in the coming decades.
Narrative B
Aside from the great strides taken in extending human life and recent fears that those gains may be slowing, what ought to worry us more is that the gap between lifespan and healthspan is widening. Many people now spend their later years battling chronic conditions. It may be more valuable to live fewer years in good health than to eke out a longer existence plagued by disease. This shift in perspective challenges us to prioritize not just longevity but the quality of our extended lives.
