Life expectancy has risen dramatically over the past century — reaching 73.8 years — thanks to steep declines in infectious diseases, maternal and child mortality, and advances in the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions.
However, the years gained are not necessarily lived in good health, a new study, published in The Lancet Public Health, found. With gains in life expectancy outstripping improvements in healthy life expectancy across almost all 204 countries and territories analysed, the authors argue that health systems need to shift their focus from simply extending lives to improving the quality of those extra years.
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