Analysis of the Impact of Covid-19 on the Healthy Life Expectancy of the Population

Abstract

The study analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE), a demographic indicator that transcends traditional life expectancy by assessing the qualitative dimension of longevity. HALE quantifies the average number of years a person is expected to live in good health, free from the limitations of disease or disability. Given the global increase in chronic diseases and the unprecedented mortality and morbidity associated with the pandemic, HALE serves as a more comprehensive metric for public health analysis. The methodology uses a two-step approach. Initially, a mortality decrement table is constructed using population and mortality data to calculate age-specific life expectancy. This model is then integrated with health status data obtained from the Minimum European Health Module (MEHM) of the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey (SILC), which provides self-reported information on three key dimensions of health: self-perceived health status, prevalence of chronic diseases, and limitations in daily activities. The research results indicate a statistically significant decrease in HALE across several age cohorts, with the most pronounced decrease observed among older people. Our findings reveal a dual impact of the pandemic: a reduction in overall life expectancy, coupled with increase in the number of years lived with disability or chronic disease. This suggests that the pandemic has not only accelerated mortality but also exacerbated morbidity. The study highlights the critical importance of HALE as a tool for monitoring the functional well-being of the population and for informing evidence-based public health policies aimed at promoting active ageing and mitigating long-term health consequences. JEL: C10, C30, C50, C52