Healthy Life Expectancy Around the World

Healthy life expectancy (HALE) is a measure of the average number of years a person can expect to live in good health, accounting for years lived in full health and years lived with illness or disability. It is an important indicator of overall population health and wellbeing, and is estimated for a given year using statistics that account years lived in different health states. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global average healthy life expectancy at age 60 is around 70 years for both sexes. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in healthy life expectancy among African countries, reflecting improvements in living standards and economic development.

WHO reported that the average healthy life expectancy among Africans who live mainly in the continent’s high- and upper-middle income countries has increased by almost 10 years. This is due to improved access to healthcare, better nutrition, and other factors. Health care plays a crucial role in improving healthy life expectancy and reducing disparities across populations. However, there is still a large disparity in healthy life expectancy between countries. For example, Japan has the highest healthy life expectancy at age 60, with an average of around 83 years for both sexes.

On the other hand, Sierra Leone has the lowest healthy life expectancy at age 60, with an average of around 48 years for both sexes. Among the ten countries with the highest and lowest healthy life expectancy, nations like Australia and the Solomon Islands illustrate the range of outcomes observed globally. In addition to differences between countries, there are also differences between genders. Generally speaking, females tend to have a higher healthy life expectancy than males, and the gender gap in healthy life expectancy varies by country. The difference in healthy life expectancy between males and females is influenced by factors such as biological differences, access to health care, and social determinants. In many countries, the gender gap is narrowing, but disparities remain significant.

Deaths and death rates are important factors that influence life expectancy statistics, but not mortality alone should be considered—quality of life and activity limitations also matter. Activity limitation and activity limitations, especially at older ages, are key factors that affect healthy life expectancy and are incorporated into health measures. Most people aspire to live longer, but the quality of those years—living longer in good health—is equally important. Increasing life expectancy is a global trend, but the focus should also be on reducing years lived with health problems.

Healthy life expectancy is estimated for a given year and is based on statistics that account years lived in full health and years lived with illness or disability. Both total life expectancy and healthy life expectancy are important measures, and the difference between them reflects years lived with health problems. Birth adds to the calculation of healthy life expectancy at birth, incorporating different health states and their severity. Severity distribution making and average levels are important in measuring healthy life expectancy, as they help capture the range and impact of health states across populations.

The rationale substantial resources are devoted to improving healthy life expectancy is to address not just mortality, but also to enhance quality of life and reduce the impact of major diseases. Economic development and living standards contribute significantly to differences in healthy life expectancy across countries, as they influence access to health care, nutrition, and other determinants of health. Australia is an example of a country with high healthy life expectancy, reflecting strong health care systems and high living standards. Other countries, such as the U.S., may have lower healthy life expectancy compared to peer nations, highlighting differences in outcomes.

For more detail, the data sources and methodologies used to estimate healthy life expectancy include official statistics, such as those from WHO and Eurostat, and often rely on self-reported activity limitations and health status. WHO data are shared under a creative commons attribution license, and proper attribution is important when using these datasets.

Introduction to Global Health

Global health is a cornerstone of human well-being, reflecting the overall health status of populations around the world. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and the general state of population health. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a pivotal role in advancing global health by collecting and analyzing data, setting international standards, and guiding public health initiatives. Life expectancy at birth is one of the most widely used indicators to assess a population’s health, providing valuable insights into the average number of years a newborn is expected to live. Over recent decades, life expectancy at birth has risen in many countries, signaling improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions. However, significant disparities remain between countries and regions, highlighting the need for ongoing data collection and analysis to inform public health strategies and promote well-being worldwide.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth is a key summary measure used to estimate the average number of years a newborn is expected to live, assuming current mortality rates remain constant throughout their life. This indicator reflects the overall health status of a population and is shaped by factors such as infant mortality, the prevalence of major diseases, and access to quality healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, global life expectancy at birth has shown a steady upward trend, with an average increase of nearly four years between 2000 and 2021. Despite this progress, there are still marked differences in life expectancy across countries. Some nations enjoy the highest life expectancy in the world, while others continue to face challenges such as high infant mortality and limited healthcare access, resulting in the lowest life expectancy figures. These differences underscore the importance of addressing health inequalities and improving health systems to ensure longer, healthier lives for all.

Data Sources for Health Metrics

Reliable data sources are essential for measuring life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and other key health metrics that inform public health decisions. The World Health Organization (WHO) serves as a leading authority, compiling and publishing global health data through its Global Health Observatory and other platforms. In addition to WHO data, national health surveys, census records, and administrative databases contribute valuable information on health outcomes, healthcare access, and determinants of health. These diverse data sources enable researchers and policymakers to track progress toward sustainable development goals, monitor trends in population health, and identify areas where interventions are needed most. By leveraging comprehensive data, countries can develop targeted public health strategies to improve healthy life years and overall well-being.

Methods for Calculating Health Metrics

Estimating health metrics like life expectancy and healthy life expectancy involves advanced statistical methods and careful analysis. The World Health Organization (WHO) employs a combination of statistical modeling, data extrapolation, and analysis of mortality rates to produce accurate life expectancy estimates. These methods also account for non-fatal health outcomes and the severity distribution of different health states, providing a more complete picture of population health beyond just mortality data. By considering both years lived in full health and years affected by illness or disability, these calculations offer a nuanced understanding of health expectancies. This approach helps public health officials and policymakers interpret health data effectively and design interventions that address not only mortality but also the quality of life and well-being in various countries.