Life expectancy in Great Britain rises—but later years are still spent in poor health
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《英国医生杂志》
People are living longer but the extra years are not lived in good health, show new data published by the Office for National Statistics.
Life expectancy in Great Britain increased between 1981 and 2001. Females born in 2001 can now expect to live an average of 80.4 years (versus 76.8 years in 1981) and males an average of 75.7 years (versus 70.9 years). Although women have also in the past had a longer life expectancy than men, the new data show that life expectancy is increasing at a faster rate for males than for females.
The researchers also looked at the quality of health in the extra years. Healthy life expectancy was quantified and defined as the expected years of life in good or fairly good health. In 2001 healthy life expectancy at birth was 67.0 years for males and 68.8 years for females. Although these values are slightly higher than for people born in 1981, healthy life expectancy has not been rising as fast as life expectancy.
People may be living longer, but the extra years are largely lived in poor health (defined as the difference between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy). In 1981, the expected time lived in poor health for males was 6.5 years; by 2001 this had risen to 8.7 years.
Women are even worse off, according to the data. Those born in 1981 could have expected to live in poor health for 10.1 years in 1981, but this rose to 11.6 years by 2001.
Andrea Lane, senior press officer for the charity Help the Aged, comments: "It is appalling that in this day and age, older women are having to spend 10 years or more in poor health.
"While we have cracked the secret of longevity, it is vital that we now work to obtain the holy grail of good health and quality of life in old age.
"If the government is serious about the health and lifestyle of the nation, it must address the particular needs of the older population. We need more medical research into the ageing process and investment into basic 慼ome help?style services to ensure that older people can stay independent and healthy throughout their later years."(BMJ Karen H閎ert)
Life expectancy in Great Britain increased between 1981 and 2001. Females born in 2001 can now expect to live an average of 80.4 years (versus 76.8 years in 1981) and males an average of 75.7 years (versus 70.9 years). Although women have also in the past had a longer life expectancy than men, the new data show that life expectancy is increasing at a faster rate for males than for females.
The researchers also looked at the quality of health in the extra years. Healthy life expectancy was quantified and defined as the expected years of life in good or fairly good health. In 2001 healthy life expectancy at birth was 67.0 years for males and 68.8 years for females. Although these values are slightly higher than for people born in 1981, healthy life expectancy has not been rising as fast as life expectancy.
People may be living longer, but the extra years are largely lived in poor health (defined as the difference between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy). In 1981, the expected time lived in poor health for males was 6.5 years; by 2001 this had risen to 8.7 years.
Women are even worse off, according to the data. Those born in 1981 could have expected to live in poor health for 10.1 years in 1981, but this rose to 11.6 years by 2001.
Andrea Lane, senior press officer for the charity Help the Aged, comments: "It is appalling that in this day and age, older women are having to spend 10 years or more in poor health.
"While we have cracked the secret of longevity, it is vital that we now work to obtain the holy grail of good health and quality of life in old age.
"If the government is serious about the health and lifestyle of the nation, it must address the particular needs of the older population. We need more medical research into the ageing process and investment into basic 慼ome help?style services to ensure that older people can stay independent and healthy throughout their later years."(BMJ Karen H閎ert)