A recent study found that people are not only living longer but also battling more illnesses.
Researchers found that the “morbidity gaps” – the difference in the average number of people who are in bad health due to chronic conditions such as back pain, depression, or hearing loss – widened in 203 out of the 204 countries studied. The gap was most prominent in America.
Researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at University of Washington found that in 2023 the average global life expectancy was 14*5%, up from 13*6% in the 1990s.
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The morbidity gap in the United States is approximately 14 years or 17,8% of expected life expectancy.
Researchers reported that between 1990 and 2023 the global life expectancy increased by 64.6 to 73.8, while life expectancy for healthy people rose from 54.9 to 63.1.
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They wrote: “Because survival gains consistently exceed gains in years of healthy life, more people live with chronic diseases and disabilities.”
Researchers found that the gap was widest in countries with the richest populations, where people have greater access to resources for extending life. The researchers found that women also live longer, yet spend more time in bad health.
Fox News Digital quoted Dr. Antony Chu as saying, “The most important thing I take away from this study isn’t that people live longer, but that we are better at delaying the death of people than at delaying their functional decline.”
He said that modern medicine had achieved “remarkable success” in the reduction of mortality due to cardiovascular disease, cancer and other infectious diseases. Many of these additional years have been spent with chronic pain and disability. They may also suffer from sensory loss or depression.
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Researchers examined data from the Global Burden of Disease covering 204 nations and territories between 1990-2023. Scientists observed in their The Lancet Public Health report that the main contributors to morbidity gaps were a few chronic and largely nonfatal diseases.
Around 57% of the years spent in poor health were due to musculoskeletal problems, including low back pain. Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, hearing loss and falls, and non-communicable diseases. Other factors included obesity, high fasting blood glucose and an aging population.
Researchers noted that while the study reveals broad trends in health, it does not prove what causes people to live longer with poorer health.
The study’s senior author, Dr. Christopher Murray of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said, “Our results suggest that future improvements in population health won’t come from simply helping people to live longer but by helping them live better.”
Murray said that “progress should not be measured by life expectancy, but rather by healthspan (the number of healthy years), with more investment being made in chronic disease care, prevention and long-term management to decrease the years in which people are in bad health.”
Chu, a Fox News Digital contributor, said that the goal of extending life expectancy should be replaced by reducing morbidity, and maximising how many years people can remain cognitively, physically and socially healthy.
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He said: “I believe that the future of medicine will not be adding more years to our lives, but rather adding more life to those years.” First, we must focus on maintaining function and not just reacting to diseases.
This involves routinely testing mobility, strength of muscles, hearing, cognitive ability, and general physical endurance. Chu stated that this could be just as crucial as monitoring blood glucose, cholesterol or pressure.
He said that “functional decline begins often years before the disability is obvious. This provides an opportunity to intervene earlier.”
Chu also said that the importance of musculoskeletal care should be emphasized.
He said that “progressive resistance exercise, fall prevention and maintenance of muscle strength, as well as early treatment for chronic back pain, should be core elements of preventive medicine, rather than just afterthoughts.” The impact of maintaining mobility on healthy ageing may be as great as that of preventing heart diseases.
Chu stated that mental health and social connections are also vital to the healthspan of an individual.
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He said that loneliness, depression and anxiety often reinforce each other, which accelerates physical decline, while reducing quality of life. Early treatment of these conditions can improve longevity and independence.
Chu, a child of immigrants who believes Americans overlook a cultural aspect of healthy ageing, says he is of the opinion that this often happens.
He said that in many cultures outside of the United States older adults still play a respected and active role as part of multigenerational family. They remain as mentors, caregivers and historians. The sense of belonging and purpose that is maintained may offer protection from loneliness, depression and identity loss.
Chu said that “by contrast, older Americans are experiencing increasing social isolation at a time when it is most crucial to maintain meaningful relationships.” Healthy aging does not depend solely on biology. It is influenced by human connections, community and purpose.

In 2013, the mystery started along Lake Memphremagog. This large, freshwater lake straddles Vermont and Quebec. Anglers began catching brown bullhead cats with black raised spots all over their body. According to a recent study in Nature, it was found that between 23% and 37% of the fish sampled were confirmed to have melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer.
In other regions, brown bullhead cats had previously been reported to have melanomas. However, the rate was not as high. At first, scientists suspected that environmental factors were to blame. The study found that Tropical Storm Irene caused major regional flooding, which led some experts to suspect pollution as the cause.
This new study suggests a different explanation: these cancerous cells could be transferred from catfish to catfish. This is the first time a fish cancer has been identified as being transmissible.
Is cancer ever contagious?
The American Cancer Society says that catching cancer is almost impossible. The cancer usually starts when the DNA of a person’s cells is damaged, they grow uncontrollably and develop a tumour. The cancer cannot be transmitted by touching or sharing food with someone who has it.
Cancer cells can be transmitted directly between people in rare cases and only under unusual circumstances. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer cells can be spread between people through organ and tissue transplants. However, this risk is extremely low. There have been rare cases of cancer that are related to pregnancy.
According to the American Cancer Society, certain infections like hepatitis B and human papillomavirus can be spread between people and may increase long-term cancer risk. The virus, and not cancer, is the cause of the spread in these situations.
A true transmissible form of cancer is a different concept. According to study authors, the cancer cells would need to move away from their original hosts and grow elsewhere. Scientists still don’t know how exactly this process occurs in brown bullhead catsfish, found in Lake Memphremagog.
The catfish mystery solved
Researchers examined affected catfish and found that the cancer was not caused by an infectious agent. This led them to examine the tumors more closely using whole genome sequencing. Whole-genome sequence is a DNA mapping technique.
The researchers compared the DNA of malignant melanoma found in these catfish to DNA taken from healthy tissue. The researchers found that tumors taken from different catfish samples were strikingly alike, but markedly distinct from those catfish. The tumors, in other words, appear to be the result of a single cancer cell line that has spread to different fishes, instead of occurring on their own.
Scientists are investigating the spread of cancer in this particular population. Brown bullheads have been known to congregate in large numbers during the spawning period, giving cancer cells an opportunity to spread from one fish to another. The exact path of transmission is not known.
The meaning of life for human beings
Lake Memphremagog provides drinking water for over 175,000 people. Scientists say that there’s no risk for this catfish-borne melanoma to spread to humans.
Scientists have stated that the cancer cells are not able to infect other species of fish and the water from the lake. There is also no proof that humans can contract cancer by consuming these fish.
The study found that previously unknown naturally transmissible diseases have also been detected in bivalve animals, including clams, mussels, Tasmanian Devils and dogs. Scientists can now add catfish as well to the list.
Researchers could benefit from this discovery by better understanding how cancer cells replicate and survive within their hosts, despite the presence of an immune system.
Researchers at the University of Manitoba have found that nature can still teach us unexpected things about cancer. This study on Lake Memphremagog’s catfish may be able to help them better understand how cancer cells spread and grow in unwelcome places.

Before she passed away from melanoma, a young woman in Texas sent an urgent message. She hopes that her story will help others.
Alondra said that she had just turned 19 years old when she first noticed the freckle on her forehead. Nobody told Alondra Sierra that it was a serious problem. The condition was left untreated too long.
The 26-year old said, “Now, I have metastatic stage four melanoma and fight for my life each day. Searching for treatments to save me could be the only thing that can help.” In a May video for Melanoma Awareness Month, she explained her situation.
Sierra underwent a number of treatments to combat her cancer, including immunology, radiotherapy, and surgery.
Skin cancer does not care about your age. Skin cancer doesn’t give a damn about your age or how fit you are. It does not wait. Please listen to this: Get uncomfortable. “Get checked”, she says in the video.
You need to have your skin checked from head-to-toe. “I don’t wish for your story to be the same as mine.”
Alondra’s Story
SIerra began to notice a new freckle on her forehead in 2019. In a TikTok clip, she revealed that the color had changed from dark to light.
She didn’t think cancer was a real possibility. She learned that she had melanoma three years later.
The most deadly type of skin cancer is melanoma, which grows rapidly and spreads to other organs. The most deadly skin cancer in America, it kills over 8500 people each year.
This cancer is increasing in frequency among young women.
Sierra’s cancer “grew rapidly” by the time she received her diagnosis, in 2022. She tried many procedures and treatments for the control of the cancer.
She said, “I wouldn’t be going through all of this if I just went to a doctor or dermatologist every year for my skin and nails check.”
She said that in 2024 she discovered the cancer spread to her whole body. This included her skull, her pelvis, her spine, her ribs and her stomach.
Her family reported that she began radiation therapy on her brain in June after she had started immunotherapy.
Final message
Sierra has made it her personal mission over the last four years to raise awareness of skin cancer and sun protection. She also believes in the importance skin checks.
She spoke out against UV artificial sources, such as lasers and nail lights, while promoting products to block it. While battling cancer, she fought for others’ education.
I wish that this month was a time of celebration. “I wish this month meant celebration. But it instead means survival. Sierra’s May video stated, “Unfortunately, this is my current reality.” May 1st marks the beginning of Melanoma Awareness Month. Many people don’t even notice. It’s advocacy, prevention and me. “It is about life and survival.”
She urges all people to thoroughly check their skin, which is the largest organ of the body.
You notice the mole or freckle but don’t check it. Every inch counts, from your head to behind your ears, to your back and breasts to feet to genitals.
Melanoma is detected by dermatologists using the ABCDE criteria. Spots with “A”symmetry and “B”order irregularity can be early signs.
Sierra graduated from college only a few years ago in 2024, the year that she discovered the cancer spread throughout her body. After living in the US for 23 years, Sierra became a US Citizen on March 1. Her radiation treatment had just finished a few days earlier, and she was still in a wheelchair.
By sharing the information that she wishes she had known, she hopes to help others catch cancer sooner than she did.
She said that early detection was not only important but also crucial.

Experts say that flying can be hard on your body. However, there are some simple nutritional rules you should adhere to to avoid common issues like dehydration and dry skin.
The dry cabin air is the main cause of dehydration.
Dehydration is not only thirst-causing, but can also cause headaches, fatigue, cramps in the muscles, and dizziness. Dehydration can cause confusion, fainting and headaches in more serious cases.
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Experts say that travelers are at risk of making certain mistakes which can lead to dehydration. Most people travel with a minimum amount of liquids to reduce the number of bathroom stops.
Many people also choose foods which are greasy, salty and heavy. Caffeine and alcohol are also commonly consumed, and can cause bloating and constipation as well as dehydration and an electrolyte balance.
Experts in health recommend hydration before, during and following a flight. You can bring your own bottle of water that you sip and fill slowly, to avoid relying on the onboard drinks.
Lindsay Baker, director of the Gatorade Sport Science Institute told Eating Well that by the time your body feels thirsty it is already dehydrated. It is best to prepare ahead of time and ensure you’re well-hydrated prior to your journey. It is better to plan ahead and make sure you are well-hydrated before your trip.
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Baker says that drinking water by itself may not suffice.
She said that your body requires electrolytes in order to retain the water.
You can find electrolytes in bananas, spinach, avocados as well as in tablets and drink mixes.
Gas in the stomach is also exacerbated by carbonated beverages, including soda, sparkling waters, and beer.
Experts say that excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption can cause dehydration, so it is best to avoid them when you fly.
Stephanie Smith, an Agora Health nutritionist specializing in women’s issues, said to CNT Travler, “if you want alcohol, choose something like one Bloody Mary. Tomato juice contains electrolytes and is antioxidant-rich.”
Reduced cabin pressure in airplanes may cause the gas to increase, causing bloating. Experts recommend avoiding foods that produce gas, including beans, lentils and broccoli.
Smaller, lighter meals are better for digestion than large meals that slow down the process.
Avoiding foods that are too sweet or salty is also a good idea. Foods high in sodium can cause temporary bloating and increase your thirst.
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Marra Burroughs is a registered dietitian and doctor of clinical nutrition. She told Travel + Leisure that people should avoid snacking on foods high in sugar or simple carbohydrates without balancing them with other macronutrients.
Burroughs said that traveling is already exhausting, but a carbohydrate-heavy meal can cause a crash and make it worse. If you are going to eat a high-sugar snack, it is best to pair it with a protein and fat to make it more balanced.
Avoid ultra-processed airport snacks and opt for protein-rich options like unsalted almonds, Greek yogurt and cheese sticks.
Travelers can stay hydrated by eating foods that are rich in water and nutrients, such as grapes, celery, watermelon or cucumbers.
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If getting up from a chair is more difficult than before, start here.
Most people don’t think twice about getting out of their chair, but one day they realize it can be difficult.
Michael Betts, a UK-based personal trainer with almost four decades of experience, is the director and cofounder of TRAINFITNESS. TRAINFITNESS offers in-person, as well as online, personal training. He’s noticed the same patterns over and over again. Hip strength is the most important predictor of independence after 60 and the one area that people neglect the longest.
It doesn’t take a membership to the gym. Four chair exercises performed a few days a week can help you rebuild your hips faster than expected.
Common hip problems after 60
Betts’ most common pattern is weakness in the hip area. Most people have sat for decades and their glutes, the largest muscle in the body are no longer firing properly. By the age of 60, they forget how to do it. Hip flexors in the front are a problem. They’re tight from sitting all day, and they pull on your lower back.
There’s also the side of your hip that almost no one trains. It is the muscles of the hips on the outside, and in particular the gluteus medius that prevent the pelvis from swaying to the side when you walk. If those muscles become weak, your entire body compensates, resulting in knee, hip, and lower back problems.
The other problem is mobility loss. The first thing to go is external rotation. This means the ability of the leg to be turned outwards. Stepping sideways, getting in and out of the car, or putting on socks are all examples. These activities require external rotation and many people older than 60 are losing more weight than they think.
Confidence is at the root of it all. Weak hips cause wobbles. Wobbles can lead to caution. Caution leads to a smaller movement. The only way to stop this spiral is by breaking it at an early stage.
Why chairs beat the gym
The chairs are in place. This is the first advantage. No commute, no membership, no waiting for a machine, no intimidation. The friction of actually having to do the work makes a big difference in whether or not change occurs.
Chairs are also great tools for progressing. The chair can be used to support your entire weight at first, then you can use it only for balance and finally stand without the chair. The gym machines do not offer the same progression, because stability is removed from the equation.
In gyms, hip machines also work on strengthening the hip in isolation. A padded seat holds everything still. Hip strength is only effective when it works in harmony with other parts of the body. The trunk is kept upright during chair exercises, so the hips are trained while maintaining the posture. This helps to prepare the body for walking, standing and climbing stairs.
Sit-To-Stand
It is by far the most effective hip exercise that older adults can do. This exercise trains glutes as well as quads and the hamstrings to stand up straight from a seat. Most physiotherapists will use this pattern when predicting whether a person is likely to remain independent. If you do this correctly, your life will become easier immediately.
Muscles Trained: Glutes, quads, hamstrings
What to do:
Sit in a chair that is sturdy with your feet on the ground, at hip width apart.
For balance, fold your arms over your chest or keep them in front.
Slightly lean forward with your hips
To stand up, squeeze your bottom muscles and push through your heels.
Slowly sit back down, allowing 3 seconds.
Recommended sets and reps: 10-15 reps
Avoid these common mistakes
You can stand up by rocking backwards to gain momentum.
You can lose muscle control by using momentum rather than control.
Use a higher chair, or use a cushion with firm support until you are able to stand.
Seated March
It will also train the trunk to remain tall as the leg moves. This is the way to maintain a regular stride as you get older, and it’s one of the best predictors for remaining independent.
The muscles that are trained: hip flexors and core stabilizers
What to do:
Sit up straight on a chair with your feet on the ground.
If you need to balance, rest your hands on the side of the chair.
As high as you feel comfortable, lift one knee towards your chest.
Reduce with Control
The other leg can be raised
For 20 total lifts, alternate 10 on each side
Recommendations for Sets and Reps : Total 20 reps (10 on each side).
Common mistakes to avoid:
Backward slouching as the knee rises
Let the trunk fall out of your work
Form tip: Maintain a long spine and a tall chest throughout all movements.
Standing Leg Lift
The glute medius is the muscle that prevents the hips from dropping as you walk. This is the one muscle that almost no older adult has intentionally trained. It makes a huge difference in balance and stride.
Glute medius muscle (outer hip).
What to do:
Standing behind a chair with both hands on its back
Standing tall with feet at hip width apart
Lift one leg to the side by no more than thirty degrees, while keeping the leg straight with the toes facing forward.
For a few seconds, hold the handle and then slowly lower it.
Perform 10 repetitions one way, then switch sides.
Recommendations for Sets: 10 Reps each side
Common mistakes to avoid:
The leg will be higher if you lean the trunk the other way.
Let the body move instead of standing upright
Foreword: The value of a small lift controlled by the trunk is ten-fold that of a large lift where the body moves.
Standing Hip Extender
The glute max is the biggest muscle in your body. This exercise targets it in exactly the same pattern as when you walk uphill or climb stairs. Most clients over 60 have a weak glutemax, so rebuilding this muscle will take the load off their lower back throughout the day.
Muscles Trained: Glute max
What to do:
Standing behind a chair with both hands on its back
Standing tall and softly bending the knee that supports you is a good way to start.
Sweep the leg backwards, while keeping it straight. Squeeze the glute on top.
You can only go so far without arching your lower back.
Reduce with Control
Perform 10 repetitions one way, then switch sides.
Recommendations for Sets and Reps : 10 reps each side
Avoid these common mistakes
Arcing your lower back and swinging your leg behind you
Range of motion is more important than glute squeeze
A strong glute squeeze will get you two inches more than a foot.
Safety and Precautions
Before beginning, anyone who has had hip surgery in the past 12 months or a knee or hip replacement, or who is currently diagnosed with hip arthritis should consult their GP. Follow the instructions given by your GP or physiotherapist if you have been told to refrain from certain movements after surgery. These exercises should be used to supplement that rather than replace it.
If you have balance issues that are so severe, and you’ve fallen within the past six months, it is important to see a physician. Standing exercises can help with balance in the long term, once other factors like inner ear problems or blood pressure issues have been ruled out.
All people are subject to the same safety standards:
Stopping at the first sign of pain
The muscle pain that you feel is normal
Stop and have it checked out if you feel numb or tingling in a part.
If you feel dizzy when standing, slow down and sit down. Consult your doctor if this happens repeatedly.
It is important that the chair be solid. There are no wheels, folding chairs or chairs that bend when you sit on them. The best tool for the four movements is a solid dining chair.
When to Do This
Start with three days per week. Once you have been exercising for two weeks and are confident that your body can handle it, four to five days a week is advisable. The daily is also fine because it is a low-loading.
For each exercise, start with two sets of 10-12 reps. This is a realistic time frame for the majority of people, around 12 minutes with short breaks. You can rest 30 to 45 second between each set, or even longer if needed.
Add a third round after a week. Hold the highest reps for two seconds after a month to increase strength, particularly on leg raises and hip extension. This extra hold will start to make a difference.
What to Expect
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Most people will notice by the second week that it is easier to get out of their chair. It’s the most common sign. This is a real, measurable change in strength, not simply feeling more energetic.
By 4 weeks, walking feels different. People often say they can keep up with fast walkers because their stride is longer. This happens when the hips fire properly and the pelvis no longer drops to one side. Your family members may comment on your steadiness.
After 6 weeks the day to day tasks become easier. You’ll find it easier to get into and out of the car, step over a bathtub edge, or stand up from a sofa. Around 60 you will notice these movements, which are caused by hip exercises.
At the six-week mark, strength gains are usually between 30 and 50 percent for sit-to stand. That’s a big deal. What happens next is the most important part. Continue to work on your hips through the second and third months, and you will see the strength and balance of the hips increase.