HLEX – A New Longevity Measure

A new measure of aging HLEX is now being used to measure Healthy Life Expectancy.

This supplements the two previous aging measures:

1. Life Span – the age to which the body could survive, forsaking the impact of disease
2. Life Expectancy – the average to which we currently live, taking account of disease

Although the average lifespan is increasing through improved nutrition and better healthcare, the life expectancy, the actual age of mortality remains about the same. This is due to the impact of chronic disease.

But what is more alarming, is that the average age to which we live before suffering a chronic illness is reducing. This has led to HLEX being introduced.

HLEX is the life expectancy without a chronic illness. The HLEX is reducing due to two reasons:

1. The number of cases of chronic disease each year is escalating across the globe
2. Prior to improved healthcare, patients would have died from simple heart attacks, strokes etc. Today medical interventions are capable of maintaining life, even if not curing the disease.

 I decided to review the current statistics on chronic disease, and was alarmed at what I read.

• In 2000, there were 600 million people aged 60 and over; there will be 1.2 billion by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050.
• Today, about 66% of all older people are living in the developing world; by 2025, it will be 75%.
• In the developed world, the very old [age 80+] is the fastest growing population group.
• Women outlive men in virtually all societies; consequently in very old age, the ratio of women/men is 2:1.
• Without action, 17 million people will die prematurely this year from a chronic disease
• One billion adults are overweight – without action, this figure will surpass 1.5 billion by 2015. 22 million children under five years old are overweight
• If the major risk factors for chronic disease were eliminated, at least 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes would be prevented; and 40% of cancer would be prevented
• Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths. Out of the 35 million people who died from chronic disease in 2005, half were under 70 and half were women.

And the major contributing factor behind chronic disease – toxins.  Both our lifestyle habits and our environments need a good clean up. Our bodies just cannot cope with the levels of toxins we are exposing them to.

It’s disappointing to read that USA citizens are just not taking heed, obesity is climbing rapidly – and along with it Type 2 Diabetes. Yet, we are just not increasing our exercise or reducing our food intake.

So, in an effort to help get people more educated I have launched a new site, TreatAndCure  dedicated solely to age related chronic diseases such as: cancer, alzheimers, diabetes, obesity, stroke and chronic respiratory disease.

In addition, I am going to feature ‘Our Toxic Bodies’ on the Antiaging-Wellness website, and the small every day steps you can take to help reduce your toxin levels and help your body repair itself.

Are you ready to do your bit to help yourself increase your HLEX?

Nicola

No related posts.