Global Morbidity Gap Widens as Healthy Aging Declines

A study in The Lancet Public Health reveals that the global morbidity gap—the difference between total and healthy life expectancy—widened to 10.7 years in 2023, up from 8.8 years in 1990.

In India, the morbidity gap increased from 8.4 years in 1990 to 10.6 years in 2023, with women globally experiencing a larger gap of 12.1 years compared to 9.3 years for men.

Researchers identified musculoskeletal disorders and mental health issues as primary contributors, noting that people are spending 14.5% of their lives in poor health, up from 13.6% in 1990.