A few years ago, living longer and healthier is something that people would aim to achieve. But now, it is about just living. The word longer is, more or less, non-existent due to uncertainty about life itself. While unexpected uncertainties such as accidents are not in our control, there are other aspects, such as diseases, that affect our longevity and to an extent, is something we might have a command over.
As per Harvard Medical School, life expectancy has been decreasing at an alarming rate despite the innovations in modern medicine (1) (2) and as per American Medical Association reports, it isn’t about older adults not living longer, but younger people dying sooner (3). This ratio has led to an overall decline in the life expectancy, which sounds far worse doesn’t it? One might think, but aren’t the younger adults expected to live longer than their parents or maybe ancestors with how fast science and technology are evolving and how conscious they are of their lifestyle? The reality is far from the truth and it is important to read between the lines. With the increase in mortality rate amongst the age group of 25-44 in the year 2023, it is a matter of concern and burden on the medical staff.
According to reports, factors linked to lifestyle had a higher mortality rate compared to that of COVID. As per Observer Research Foundation (4), there have been studies that are conducted on the sudden deaths among the young adults without any prior indicators. The cause of the deaths was linked with abnormal heart rhythm, infections, strokes, gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses and other coronary heart diseases. With that being said, there are certain countries, especially the United States, which has seen a steady rise in colorectal cancer in younger people and with them eventually dying from that disease. According to National Cancer Institute colorectal cancer has plummeted in older adults and is rapidly increasing in people below the age of 50. The cause for colon cancer has been speculated to be due to unhealthy diet, bacteria in the gut, physical inactivity and inflammation to name a few. These factors could lead to obesity which may cause further health complications. As per National Cancer Institute, certain studies claim that some drugs such as antibiotics could cause an imbalance the gut microbiome. Additionally, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and diabetes could cause an inflammation in the gut. All the above factors combined could cause an increase in the risk of an early onset of colon cancer (5).
With the rise in death rates in younger adults, it is important for us to look at the different ways, treatments and lifestyle patterns by which longevity can be increased and diseases can be controlled, treated or prevented all together. Most of the conditions may be treatable if it is diagnosed in the early onset with a higher chance of the body repairing itself completely.
