Men and women across the world are living, on average, six years longer than they did 25 years ago, a new study today reveals.
Life expectancy, even in some of the world’s poorest nations, is rising.
Of particular interest is the fact healthy life expectancy – the number of years a person lives in good health – is also growing.
But in their analysis, experts at the University of Washington note that global life expectancy is rising faster than healthy life expectancy – meaning people are enduring more years of illness or disability.
The study of 188 countries identifies heart disease, lower respiratory infections (those affecting the airways and the lungs) and stroke as causing the greatest degree of health loss, globally.
