When it comes to news at epiAge, we tend to focus on the hunky-dory as there is plenty of bad news out there, and we like to encourage our readers to look after themselves. Today, however, we’re going to go a bit “Nordic noir” for a change.
In the longevity scene, it seems that not a week goes by without one or the other publication promising us longer and healthier lives thanks to scientific advances and/or sophisticated technologies.
Sounds all very nice… but what about a reality check?
A disturbing study recently took the German press by storm: when it comes to life expectancy, Germany is one of the worst performers in Western Europe – and the trend shows no sign of weakening!
Ouch, Germany, of all countries? Should we be worried?
Compared to other Western European countries – such as Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy or Luxemburg, the underlying study (Grigoriev et al. Bundesgesundheitsblatt) sees a gap in life expectancy that has been growing steadily over the past 20 years. And this was long before Coronavirus, since the study only considers data up to 2019. Specifically: “Whereas in 2000 men were 0.73 years behind and women 0.74 years, by 2019 it was already 1.43 and 1.34 years respectively”.
Beyond cohort-specific patterns, the increased German mortality rate appears to predominantly affect individuals in older adulthood (men aged 50 and over and 65+ women).
In terms of life expectancy, Germany had already been performing poorly in the 1960s, but it was able to improve steadily in the 1980s, before reunification presented it with new challenges. After an encouraging catch-up phase in the 1990s, things began to stagnate in the East. But ever since 2000, there has been an unmistakable downward trend in Germany’s overall position.
While the research team acknowledges the difficulty of identifying all-encompassing reasons for this trend, it nevertheless uncovers a significant cause: coronary heart disease.
But how could things get that bad in a country characterised by “well-funded, technologically advanced and accessible healthcare”?
Like other so-called diseases of civilisation, cardiovascular disorders are usually multifactorial. They can be caused by stress, smoking, alcohol, obesity, lack of exercise and poor nutrition – alone or in combination. While Germany holds its own in most respects compared to its European neighbours, researchers perceive public health policy shortcomings. Prevention in the field of alcohol, tobacco and especially nutrition should be stepped up. Indeed, it appears that Germans consume too little fruit and vegetables.
So, what’s our conclusion at epiAge? Prevention at the level of lifestyle is and remains the most important key to a better life- and healthspan.
So, off we go to the greengrocer's – be it on foot or by bike!
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Grigoriev, P., Sauerberg, M., Jasilionis, D. et al. "Sterblichkeitsentwicklung in Deutschland im internationalen Kontext". Bundesgesundheitsbl 67, 493–503 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-024-03867-9. Online: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00103-024-03867-9
„Deutschland fällt bei Lebenserwartung in Westeuropa weiter zurück“. Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung, 22.05.2024. Online-Pressemitteilung: https://www.bib.bund.de/DE/Presse/Mitteilungen/2024/2024-05-22-Deutschland-faellt-bei-Lebenserwartung-in-Westeuropa-weiter-zurueck.html
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