Healthspan-Lifespan Gap Differes in Magnitude and Disease Contribution Across World Regions

Research at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has shed light on the disparities in healthy longevity across different world regions. By analyzing data from the World Health Organization's Global Health Observatory, researchers uncovered a significant gap between the lifespan and healthspan of individuals in various regions. The study found that while some regions, such as Africa, exhibited a relatively narrow healthspan-lifespan gap, others, like Europe, had gaps that were smaller than expected. Notably, Africa showed the greatest expansion of the healthspan-lifespan gap and restructuring of disease burden patterns. The research also revealed that projections into 2100 forecast the continuous widening of the healthspan-lifespan gap across regions. The study underscores the need for region-informed solutions to address the disparities in healthy longevity.

Key Takeaways:

• The healthspan-lifespan gap differs in magnitude and disease contribution across world regions, with Africa exhibiting the greatest expansion and Europe having gaps smaller than anticipated.
• The gap was quantified from estimates of life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy, and regression analysis evaluated healthspan-lifespan gap correlates.
• Machine learning techniques were used to identify disease burden patterns linked to healthspan-lifespan gap identity and to stratify global morbidity patterns into three clusters.
• Cluster-informed stratification discerns inter- and intra-regional gap heterogeneity, cautioning against global generalization and necessitating region-informed solutions.
• Projections into 2100 forecast continuous widening of the healthspan-lifespan gap across regions.

Statistics:

• The healthspan-lifespan gap was analyzed across six WHO-designated regions, comprising 183 member states.
• Life expectancy, gross domestic product, and noncommunicable disease burden most consistently correlated with the healthspan-lifespan gap.
• Unsupervised machine learning identified three disease burden clusters, with cluster-informed stratification highlighting inter- and intra-regional gap heterogeneity.
• The gap was projected to widen continuously across regions by 2100, with Africa showing the greatest expansion and Europe having gaps smaller than anticipated.

Sources:

• Communications Medicine, 2025;5(1):381
• World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory
• United Nations World Population Prospects
• Global Health Expenditure Database