The pursuit of longevity has long been a shared objective, with many people striving to live well into their hundreds. However, a recent trend has emerged that suggests this goal may be slipping further out of reach for many Europeans. Despite advancements in technology and science, life expectancy in Europe has stopped growing at its expected rate since 2011.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health reveals that between 2011 and 2019, the upward trend in life expectancy slowed significantly. In the preceding decades, from 1990 to the 2010s, life expectancy increased by approximately 5.5 years. In contrast, between 2011 and 2019, it only increased by 1.17 years. The impact of the pandemic has further exacerbated this issue, not only halting the increase in life expectancy in many European countries but also reducing it in some cases between 2019 and 2021.
Spain is a notable example, where the average growth in life expectancy slowed from 0.25 years in the earlier period to 0.13 years between 2011 and 2019. England has been the most affected, with a loss of 0.18 years in the improvement of life expectancy over the last three decades. On the other hand, countries like Norway, Iceland, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden have managed to maintain their pace of improvement.
The authors of the study, collaborators of the Global Burden of Disease project, attribute this deceleration to familiar risk factors: the progressive increase in obesity and overweight, coupled with exposure to diet risks such as the consumption of ultra-processed foods, which now account for 40% of the caloric intake in many European countries. While smoking has declined, it remains a significant risk factor, alongside alcohol consumption, which has failed to decrease.
As a result, cardiovascular diseases and tumors have become the primary drivers behind the deceleration in life expectancy. So, what sets the countries that have managed to resist this trend apart? Norway, Iceland, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden have maintained their pace thanks to public policies focused on reducing exposure to these risks. They have implemented strict regulations and prevention campaigns to combat junk food, smoking, and lack of exercise. Furthermore, the study suggests that these countries were better prepared to withstand the Covid-19 pandemic due to their continuous improvements in life expectancy during 2019-2021.
The research indicates that government policies aimed at improving population health also create resilience to future crises. However, making such decisions often requires confronting industrial giants responsible for at least a third of premature deaths: tobacco, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels, and alcohol. The economic influence of these sectors makes it challenging for governments to apply effective policies that mitigate their harmful effects, except in the case of tobacco.
Experts recommend measures such as regulating the advertising of unhealthy products, applying specific taxes, and promoting more beneficial health alternatives. Professor Nick Stell, one of the main researchers, emphasizes that while life expectancy for the elderly continues to increase in many countries, the study focuses primarily on mortality at earlier ages. This area still has a wide margin for reducing harmful risks and preventing premature deaths, making it a critical target for intervention.
In conclusion, the slowdown in life expectancy growth in Europe serves as a wake-up call for governments and individuals to re-examine their priorities and policies. By understanding the factors driving this trend and implementing effective strategies to mitigate them, it may still be possible to reclaim the pursuit of longevity as a shared and achievable objective.