Researchers from the London School of Economics, collaborating with specialists from the Vitality insurance company in Britain, found compelling evidence that walking at least five thousand steps, three times per week, can extend life expectancy by roughly two and a half years for men and about three years for women. The findings were published in The Lancet, a respected medical journal that tracks long-term health trends and outcomes.
The study tracked physical activity among more than a million individuals over a decade, building a detailed map of movement patterns across the United Kingdom and parts of South Africa. The data reveal that about 35 percent of Britons lead sedentary lives. Researchers warn that inactivity is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, highlighting the broad toll of a largely inactive population on health systems and quality of life.
Analyzing the potential impact of increased mobility, the team calculated that raising the activity level of those currently inactive to the five thousand steps per week threshold could help the United Kingdom’s National Health Service reduce hospital admissions. The projected saving is around four billion pounds annually, a figure that reflects the scale of avoided care and improved health outcomes in a population with rising chronic disease risk.
Even higher activity levels offer additional benefits. If inactivity drops further and people increase to five thousand steps on most days, estimates suggest annual savings could grow to about fifteen billion pounds. This emphasizes how even modest, consistent changes in everyday movement can translate into meaningful financial relief for healthcare systems while improving personal well-being.
The researchers also found that aiming for around fifteen thousand steps each week may further extend life expectancy—approximately two and a half years for men and three years for women. This extra longevity is linked to lower rates of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and certain mental health conditions as physical fitness improves overall health resilience and functional capacity.
Beyond the numbers, the study underscores a practical takeaway: regular, achievable movement plays a critical role in preventing disease and supporting a longer, healthier life. For individuals who are currently sedentary, small but steady increases in daily activity can accumulate into substantial health dividends over years, reducing the burden of chronic illness and enhancing daily vitality. It also highlights how public health strategies that promote accessible physical activity can yield wide-ranging benefits for communities and healthcare systems alike.
Historically, scientists have explored the links between walking and heart health, noting that even moderate activity can strengthen the heart, improve lipid profiles, and lower blood pressure. The evolving evidence base supports encouraging people to incorporate regular walking into their routines, whether as a commute, a midday break, or a gentle weekend habit, as part of a broader approach to preventive health and wellness.