why are both life expectancy and quality of life used to evaluate overall health?

1 day ago 2
Nature

Both life expectancy and quality of life are used to evaluate overall health because they provide complementary perspectives on health status. Life expectancy measures the average length of time a person is expected to live at a given age, capturing the quantity of life. Quality of life, particularly health-related quality of life, reflects an individual's overall well-being, including physical, mental, and social aspects of health, thereby addressing the quality or experience of living rather than just longevity. Using both measures together offers a more comprehensive evaluation of health. Life expectancy alone does not account for the health conditions or disabilities a person might experience during their lifetime. Quality of life measures help to capture these important factors by assessing how health conditions and treatments impact daily functioning, well-being, and personal expectations. Together, these metrics provide insight into not only how long people live but also how well they live, which is critical for healthcare decision-making, policy development, and evaluating the effectiveness of health interventions.