World Health Statistics Report 2021, data has been published about average life expectancy across various regions of the world

In a recent World Health Statistics Report 2021, data has been published about average life expectancy across various regions of the world. The study tracked life expectancy, healthy life expectancy for men and women. It also tracked the difference in both parameters between genders.

Image and Data credit: Times Of India

The result from the study indicate the below:

1.       Life expectancy has risen over the years across the world. With advanced leaps in medicine and technology, the average life expectancy has risen. In India the figure has moved up from an average of 50 years in 1980s to 70 years in 2021.

2.       Though the increase in life expectancy is a positive news yet the difference in life expectancy and ‘healthy life expectancy’ is on an average 9 years globally. That means that even though people are living longer, the later span may not be healthy.

3.      The data on healthy life expectancy suggests that there is hardly any improvement or growth in ‘healthy life expectancy’ between 2012 – 2019, even though life expectancy has improved.

4.       Amongst men and women, the life expectancy is higher for women, but the difference is not the same in healthy life expectancy. In fact, the gender difference in healthy life expectancy is minimal in India (0.1 years) as against life expectancy difference of 2.7 years.

The report throws significant insights for us:

·        With increasing life expectancy and focus of medical science on prolonging lifespan, there is less focus on increasing the healthy lifespan i.e. a disease free long life.

·        The long life may be fraught with severe diseases in later years, significantly impacting the quality of life, mobility and very high medical expense.

·        Women are at a disadvantage and risk of not receiving proper medical care due to lesser autonomy and decision making. They receive less care medically and in terms of healthy lifestyle and nutrition. Gynae related ailments and not getting treatment of the desired level in their middle age affects them . Thyroid is also affecting them quite a bit.

·        The data above is a wakeup call for every individual to think long term and put a financial plan in place early on for a prolonged lifespan as well as medical expenses.

·       With a high inflation rate and very high medical inflation (18-20%) in the country, one needs to prepare a retirement kitty right from a young age and take appropriate Health Insurance cover to be able to afford treatment in later years.

·        It is important for men and women of all ages to start taking care of their health, food habits and lifestyle. We need to cut down on junk food, excess sugar, fats etc. and make regular exercise a part of our daily life to avert and delay health crisis as much as possible.

·        It should be understood by you that Health insurance cover is not just a tax saving tool, as the pandemic has taught us. Adequate insurance gives peace of mind in unexpected emergencies. A policy bought early comes at a lower price when there are less health issues. A long standing policy also covers illnesses contracted later and pre-existing illnesses after a waiting period.

·        Those who have a Health  cover from employer must augment it with a personal cover to have adequate coverage once employer insurance ceases at retirement or upon quitting.

·        Health Insurance cover becomes expensive in later years; hence one must have a personal cover early on.

·        It is important that the cover is adequate and not too small to cover even basic treatment. One must review the policy every few years so that it is in line with current medical costs and requirements. Top up plans, porting options are available with most insurers.

·         For getting knowledge about Super Top Up Plans you should contact Good Insurance Brokerage Firm.