Korea’s Health Lifespan Declines for 2nd Year, Widens Income Gap
A concerning trend has emerged: the length of time Koreans live in good health – known as “healthspan” – has decreased for two consecutive years, falling below 70 years. Simultaneously, the gap in healthspan based on income has widened to as much as 8.4 years, highlighting growing health inequities.
Healthspan Decline and Income Disparity
According to data analysed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Promotion Development Institute, the average healthspan for Koreans was 69.89 years in 2022, a decrease from 70.93 years in 2020. This marks the first time healthspan has dipped below 70 years since 2013 (69.69 years).
In 2022, the healthspan for men was 67.94 years, while for women it was 71.69 years. However, overall life expectancy continues to rise, reaching 83.5 years in 2023, with 80.6 years for men and 86.4 years for women – increases of 0.7 and 0.8 years respectively compared to the previous year.
Impact of COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Factors
Experts suggest that reduced healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the decline in healthspan. Yoon Seok-joon, a professor at Korea University’s College of Medicine who led the government’s healthspan research, noted that the healthspan index was redefined in 2018 based on healthcare utilization, and subsequent reductions in medical visits during the pandemic likely played a role. He emphasized, however, that the widening gap between income groups and regions is a more critical concern.
The data reveals a significant correlation between income and healthspan. In 2022, individuals in the highest income bracket (top 20%) had a healthspan of 72.7 years, while those in the lowest income bracket (bottom 20%) had a healthspan of only 64.3 years – a difference of 8.4 years.
Professor Yoon further explained that individuals in lower-income brackets often face challenging working conditions that hinder their ability to prioritize health. He advocates for policies that concentrate social resources on those lacking the means to manage their health, thereby promoting health equity.
The Challenge of Increasing Life Expectancy, Declining Healthspan
The simultaneous increase in life expectancy and decrease in healthspan raises concerns. Yun Young-ho, a professor at Seoul National University’s College of Medicine, warned that this trend indicates a growing period of life spent living with chronic diseases, potentially leading to a surge in healthcare costs in an aging society.
He identified the rise in chronic conditions like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes as key factors eroding healthspan, attributing these increases to lifestyle changes, including decreased physical activity and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. He highlighted that health is determined by genetics (5%), healthcare (10%), lifestyle (30%), and social environment (55%), emphasizing the need for investments in creating environments that support healthy lifestyles.
Professor Yoon proposed considering policies such as taxes on sugar-laden foods to generate revenue for targeted investments in chronic disease prevention and management for lower-income populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is healthspan?
Healthspan is the period of life spent in good health, free from disease or injury that prevents normal activity. It differs from life expectancy, which measures the total number of years a person is expected to live.
What was the healthspan in 2022?
The average healthspan for Koreans in 2022 was 69.89 years, a decrease from 70.93 years in 2020.
What is the income-based healthspan gap?
In 2022, individuals in the top 20% income bracket had a healthspan of 72.7 years, while those in the bottom 20% had a healthspan of 64.3 years – a gap of 8.4 years.
As populations age and the burden of chronic disease increases, what role should governments and communities play in fostering environments that support longer, healthier lives?