The Socio-Economics of Healthy Life Expectancy

There is growing global interest in “healthy aging.” When examining the relationship between healthy life expectancy and economic indicators, a positive relationship was found between increases in national medical expenses (economic burden) and gross domestic product (economic results) and the extension of healthy life expectancy. So while an increase in economic results can be expected from an extension of healthy life expectancy, it is inferred that the economic burden may also increase. In fact, there are many reports that physical activity and rising economic standards contribute to the extension of healthy lifespan, so individual economic power is considered to be one of the mechanisms of action of healthy lifespan.

Taking these into consideration, in order to extend healthy lifespan in harmony with the socio-economy, it is also essential to improve the performance of the medical system and evaluate the economic value of life-saving and health. According to reports on the cost-effectiveness of preventing and treating kidney disease, heart disease, and chronic pain, it is suggested that a mechanism for extending healthy lifespan while achieving socio-economic harmony is possible. In particular, in order to promote the development of medical innovations that affect healthy life expectancy and appropriate patient access, it is desirable to discuss the role of health economic evaluation in medical ethics and clinical guidelines, while taking into consideration the harmony between society and individuals.

From the above, in order to promote the extension of healthy lifespan from a medical economic perspective, it seems essential to utilize not only public frameworks but also private schemes, actively encourage the elderly to participate in society, and to enhance measures that not only improve the health of individuals but also steadily expand the real economy.