Researchers have identified a trio of lifestyle areas that affect life expectancy.
People with severe mental illness (SMI) tend to live shorter lives than the general population. Research suggests that, on average, women live 12 years less, and men live 13 years less.
A new study from researchers at King’s College London (Kings) and other institutions in the United Kingdom finds, however, that resolving a group of three health issues can narrow this gap significantly. The study features in PLOS ONE.
Mitigating unhealthful behaviors, underuse of medical services, and social isolation may extend the lives of those with SMI by 4–7 years.
These three issues may seem familiar, and, in fact, they are — these are risk factors for anyone’s longevity.
The researchers behind the current study note that about 80% of people living with SMI die of heart disease, respiratory illnesses, diabetes, cancer, and digestive disorders. It may be that by focusing on the treatment of SMI in these individuals, healthcare professionals unintentionally overlook such long-term health concerns.
The researchers undertook an analysis of available study data in an effort to help guide public health policy. The goal was to ascertain the effect of getting these risk factors under control in the lives of people with SMI. The researchers found that improvement in these areas did translate into a gain in life expectancy.
For the purposes of the study, the team divided the issues into three categories:
- unhealthful behaviors, such as smoking and leading a sedentary lifestyle
- healthcare factors, which include a failure to take advantage of available the