Health Report How to add 14 years to your lifespan
Jul 18, 2025
David Coghill, a leading expert on ADHD and Chair of Developmental Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, joins Jim Buttery, an infectious diseases physician and RSV vaccination expert. They discuss how addressing five key cardiovascular risk factors can potentially add up to 14 years to your life, even if tackled in middle age. Coghill elaborates on the rising ADHD diagnoses and the intricate balance of treatment effectiveness. Buttery provides insights into the promising outcomes of the maternal RSV vaccination program to safeguard infants.
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Norman Swan's Health Habits
- Norman Swan avoids smoking and monitors blood pressure and cholesterol to maintain health.
- He cycles to work instead of driving as part of his healthy lifestyle.
Five Key Lifespan Factors
- Avoid smoking, manage blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and maintain healthy weight to live longer.
- Address these five risk factors at age 50 to increase lifespan by up to 14 years.
Hypertension Surpasses Smoking Risk
- High blood pressure is now the most dangerous cardiovascular risk factor, overtaking smoking.
- Advances in treatments tip scales but obesity among young people threatens future life expectancy.