Longevity is undoubtedly one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements. In Greece, however, as in most countries worldwide, extra years of life do not necessarily equate with better health.

With more years of life, Greeks are spending an ever-larger share of that time dealing with chronic conditions, disabilities and other problems that limit their quality of life day to day.

The figures are telling. In 2023, Greece’s so-called “healthspan-lifespan gap” reached 11.9 years, up from 10 years in 1990, an increase of 1.9 years, or roughly 18%. The proportion of life Greeks now spend in poor health stands at 14.7%, compared with 13% three decades ago.

The findings come from a study published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open, which analysed World Health Organisation (WHO) data from 183 member states to track the healthspan-lifespan gap, the difference between the number of years people live and the number of years they live in good health.

In other words, the goal is no longer simply to live longer, but to remain healthy and functional for as long as possible.

Almost 12 years of life spent in poor health in Greece

According to the study, Greeks spend an average of 11.9 years of their lives dealing with health problems. The healthspan-lifespan gap, the difference between life expectancy and the number of years spent in good health, has widened considerably between 1990 and 2023.

Despite improvements in survival, the rise in chronic diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, metabolic disorders and other non-fatal but debilitating conditions means more people are living more years with restrictions on their daily lives.

The global picture

The study found that the global healthspan-lifespan gap widened from 8.5 years in 1990 to 9.6 years in 2023.

Women continue to live longer than men, but also spend more time in poor health. Similarly, high-income countries, where life expectancy tends to be higher, generally see people spending a longer share of their lives with chronic conditions.

Why years spent in poor health are increasing

Researchers attribute this largely to an ageing population and to rising survival rates among people with chronic illnesses, thanks to advances in medicine.

Conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, musculoskeletal problems and mental health issues do not necessarily lead to premature death, but they stay with people for many years, affecting their functionality and quality of life.

A new challenge for health systems

The researchers stress that health policy should not focus solely on extending life expectancy, but primarily on extending the number of years people live free of significant health problems.

Prevention, addressing risk factors, early diagnosis and effective management of chronic disease are essential if the additional years of life gained are also to be years of good health.

As the study’s authors conclude, true success in public health will not be measured only by how much life expectancy increases, but by how many of those years people are able to live independently, actively and with a good quality of life.