By 2050, one in three people will be over 60 years old. With bold action to promote healthy longevity, developing countries could save 150 million lives and extend millions more, according to a new World Bank report. Saved health care costs, healthier lifestyles, increased workforce productivity, and lower public expenditure on social services would also generate enormous economic value.
The report, “Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Non-communicable Diseases and Human Capital,” lays out strategies for governments that can improve health, reduce poverty, address gender inequity, and enhance productivity in low- and middle-income countries. Healthy longevity means the state of good physical, cognitive, and social functioning throughout a person’s lifespan.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and cancers—already account for more than 70% of all deaths and a significant portion of disease and disability in low- and middle-income countries. These also intersect with climate stress and pandemic vulnerability. The poorest and most vulnerable people are most susceptible to NCDs because of higher rates of smoking, alcohol use, obesity, lower quality of health care, and are least able to afford treatment or cope with income loss.
“Non-communicable diseases trap people in poverty, affecting opportunity and quality of life for current and future generations,” said Mamta Murthi, Vice President at the People Vice Presidency at the World Bank. “To tackle the burden of disease and promote healthy longevity we are encouraging countries to look at approaches beyond health care that include child nutrition education financial protection for the poorest. Acting now can shape a healthier equitable more productive future.”
The report outlines actions to reduce the risk of NCDs including integrating cost-effective clinical services long-term care into primary healthcare excise taxes on tobacco alcohol sugar-sweetened beverages mobilize additional revenue encourage healthy behaviors It will also be important to explore innovative social protection for people in the informal sector help cover essential heath costs enable dignified aging.
“Healthy Longevity is an evidence-based approach to help countries define prioritized costed interventions policy changes save extend people’s lives,” said Juan Pablo Uribe Global Director for Health World Bank “We are ready support countries this journey knowledge financing.”
Healthy longevity interventions also support gender equity. While women generally outlive men they experience longer periods disease disability have fewer resources than men address these challenges Responsibility caregiving reduces employment prospects compromise wellbeing By emphasizing alternative care options such as community-based care countries contain costs respect dignity aid women remain workforce
In April 2024 World Bank Group announced goal reaching 1.5 billion people better health services by 2030 work healthy longevity essential achieving goal through scaling up high-impact interventions strengthening financial protection poor older populations
For more information please visit www.worldbank.org/en/topic/health
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