Lifespan and Healthspan are in decline in the US
People in 40 countries around the world enjoy longer life expectancies (Lifespans) than Americans. LIfespan, in the US, peaked at 78.9 years in 2014 and has been in decline since. Further, an increasing number of people are living with one or more chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, liver disease, diabetes) which impacts the quality of their lives. They are enjoying shorter Healthspans, or fewer years in good health. While advances in medical knowledge and practice, improved sanitation, and better public health have increased Lifespans and Healthspans over the past 100 years, in the U.S., the ratio of Healthspan to Lifespan is in decline.
Why is this happening?
There are many factors that contribute to the diminishing ratio of Healthspan to Lifespan. These include poor quality food (e.g., highly processed, excessive sugar), lifestyle (e.g., stress, lack of sleep), socio-economic factors (e.g., poverty), and less supportive social structures (e.g., dysfunctional families). Unfortunate events happen in most lives. Can affected individuals comprehend the situation they are in and either help themselves or get the help they need to nurture and sustain their health?
How improved primary care can help
The primary care provider plays a crucial role in helping people achieve and sustain good health. Their familiarity with the health history of the patient and continuity in caring for the patient gives them a great advantage over other caregivers who may have episodic and narrow views of a patient’s medical life. Primary care providers are better situated to be proactive in their approach to the care of their patients. A combination of poor access to primary care and the “wait till it gets serious” attitude of many individuals makes preventative and proactive care harder to achieve. Problems are typically harder to fix when they become serious. As a consequence, people are living less healthy lives than they can.
We are hoping to make it easier to access primary care and will give both the care giver and the patient tools to better manage their health.
