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In Mauritius, the average life expectancy has crossed 70 years — a remarkable achievement for a small island nation. But behind this proud statistic lies a painful truth: while Mauritians are living longer, many are spending their final years battling illness, dependency, and decline. This is the Mauritius longevity crisis, where the number of years we live no longer reflects the quality of life we experience.
The Hidden Cost of Modern Longevity
Over the past few decades, medical advancements, better nutrition, and improved healthcare have extended life spans. But these extra years have not necessarily been healthy ones. Many Mauritians now spend the last 10 to 15 years of their lives dealing with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and kidney failure.
In fact, it’s estimated that people spend up to 20% of their lives in poor health — dependent on others or tied to medications and hospital visits. Living longer has become a hollow victory if those additional years are filled with suffering instead of vitality.
The Health-Span Gap
The real challenge isn’t just longevity — it’s health-span. Health-span refers to the number of years one lives in good health, free from disease and dependency. Unfortunately, the gap between lifespan and health-span is widening in Mauritius. While we celebrate birthdays into our 70s and 80s, many citizens spend those “bonus years” without energy, independence, or joy.
We need to ask a new question:
? “How many years will I live?”
? “How many years will I truly live?”
Changing the Equation: From Years to Quality
The time has come to rethink what longevity means for Mauritius. The goal should not simply be to add years to life, but to add life to those years. This means shifting focus from disease treatment to disease prevention — through better nutrition, active lifestyles, mental well-being, and access to proactive healthcare systems.
It’s not just a health issue; it’s a social and economic one. A population living longer but sicker puts immense pressure on families, hospitals, and national resources. The only sustainable way forward is to create a nation where people live longer and better.
The Longevity Summit 2025: A National Awakening
This transformation begins with awareness — and that’s exactly what the Longevity Summit 2025 aims to achieve. The summit is a national movement to bridge the health-span gap and inspire a new vision for aging in Mauritius. With a mission to add 10 healthy years to every Mauritian’s life, it brings together global experts, policymakers, and innovators to reshape the country’s health future.
The message is simple yet powerful: longevity is not about counting years; it’s about making every year count.
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