Women face longer years of poor health despite rising life expectancy: Singapore health minister

The shift in healthcare priorities from simply extending life to ensuring quality of life represents a fundamental challenge for modern medical systems, particularly when addressing disparities between genders, Mr Ong said at the forum.

While women tend to live longer than men in most developed economies, research shows they spend a disproportionately greater number of years living with illness or disability. This gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy underscores the need for healthcare systems to focus not just on longevity but on maintaining wellbeing throughout those additional years.

Mr Ong, who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, discussed the issue during an exchange with Ms Biden, highlighting how women's health concerns require targeted interventions that address both preventative care and management of chronic conditions across the lifespan.

The conversation reflects growing international recognition that healthcare systems must evolve beyond treating acute illnesses to encompassing holistic approaches that improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life for aging populations, particularly women who constitute a significant portion of the elderly demographic across Asia and globally.