The good news: People are living longer. The bad news: People are spending more time in poor health. Global longevity has risen substantially in the past 60 years, increasing life spans by 20 years on average, but every additional year of life is paid for with an average of six months in ill health. According to a recent report from the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI), a focus on immediately influenceable interventions at the city level can add approximately 20 billion to 25 billion years of higher-quality life at a global level—that’s an average of five additional years per person living in urban areas. All organizations across sectors have a role to play to capture this opportunity, write McKinsey’s Hemant Ahlawat, Erica Hutchins Coe, Pooja Kumar, and Drew Ungerman.
This World Health Day, check out these insights from MHI to understand what it could take for everyone on the planet to add years to their lives and life to their years.
How to achieve great health for all? Start in your city.
Closing the women’s health gap
The missing billion: Lack of disability data impedes healthcare equity
The business of healthcare: ‘I’m always optimistic about what’s possible’