from American Journal of Public Health
Americans are living longer according to a
comparison of life-expectancy trends and
disability rates over a recent forty-year
period. The disability part of the equation
is the problem. A study led by University
of Southern California researchers found
that the increased longevity is not always
indicative of good health. Rather, many
people are living longer with a disability or
other health problem. The study in the
American Journal of Public Health shows
the average lifespan for women increased
by six point four years, but significantly
more than one-half of those extra years
were spent with a disability. The study
found men increased their average
lifespan by nine point two years, but
roughly one-half of those additional years
were accompanied by a disability.