Article review: We're living longer and longer—but not necessarily in good health

Abstract

The study’s findings highlight that the measure of success in public health today is no longer solely an increase in life expectancy, but rather an increase in the number of years lived in good health. This shift in perspective presents new challenges in both everyday practice and policy-making.

Professionals who work directly with the public—such as teachers, family doctors, public health nurses, and other providers in primary and specialized care—this implies that, in addition to preventing and treating diseases, increasing attention must be paid to preventing long-term health impairments, supporting mental health, facilitating rehabilitation, and helping people maintain independent living for as long as possible.

For policymakers and policy advisors, the study indicates that when planning and evaluating public health programs, it is advisable to consider trends in healthy life years as a key indicator alongside life expectancy. For Hungary, this presents a twofold challenge: in addition to further reducing premature mortality, efforts must also be made to ensure that as many of the years of life gained as possible are spent in good health. To this end, measures are needed that simultaneously promote healthy lifestyles, shape health-supporting living conditions, reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors, and improve the prevention and care of chronic diseases, rehabilitation, and mental health support.