Healthspan-lifespan gap differs in magnitude and disease contribution across world regions

Longevity gains have not been matched by equivalent advances in healthy longevity, giving rise to the healthspan-lifespan gap. This study maps, by world region, the healthspan-lifespan gap; identifies gap-associated demographic, economic, and health indicators; and deciphers disease burden patterns contributing to gap profiles.

World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory, United Nations World Population Prospects and Global Health Expenditure Database were interrogated. The healthspan-lifespan gap was quantified from estimates of life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy. Regression analysis evaluated healthspan-lifespan gap correlates with a spatial error model used to adjust for confounders arising from geographic proximity. Dimensionality reduction by principal component analysis and clustering by machine learning discriminated disease burden patterns linked to healthspan-lifespan gap identity. Supervised machine learning enabled validation of disease burden pattern distinctness.

Charted for six WHO-designated regions, comprising 183 member states, the healthspan-lifespan gap differs in size across regions. Life expectancy, gross domestic product, and noncommunicable disease burden most consistently correlate with the healthspan-lifespan gap. Unsupervised machine learning identifies three clusters delineating global morbidity patterns. Cluster-informed stratification discerns inter- and intra-regional gap heterogeneity. Africa, although exhibiting the narrowest healthspan-lifespan gap, is overrepresented in countries with larger than predicted healthspan-lifespan gaps and shows the greatest gap expansion and disease burden pattern restructuring. In contrast, Europe is overrepresented in countries with healthspan-lifespan gaps smaller than anticipated. Projections into 2100 forecast continuous widening of the healthspan-lifespan gap across regions.

The healthspan-lifespan gap is universal yet differs in magnitude and disease contribution among world regions. Gap identities imposed by distinct disease burden patterns caution against global generalization, necessitating region-informed solutions to maximize equitable healthy longevity.