healthspan

Healthspan is the portion of a person’s life during which they remain healthy, fully functional, and independent, without major chronic disease or disabling conditions. It is distinct from lifespan, which counts total years lived; healthspan emphasizes quality and capacity to engage in daily activities. Health-adjusted life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy are commonly used metrics that combine mortality with morbidity to estimate the length of time a person can expect to live in good health. Functional and cognitive assessments, such as the ability to perform activities of daily living, gait speed, grip strength, and cognitive tests, are also used to gauge healthspan.

Determinants include genetics and biology, early life conditions, socioeconomic factors, education, access to healthcare, and lifestyle. Modifiable behaviors with strong associations to longer healthspan include regular physical activity (both aerobic and strength training), a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting harmful alcohol, adequate sleep, and vaccination. Effective management of chronic diseases and preventive care (screenings) also contribute. Evidence supports improvements in healthspan with exercise, certain dietary patterns, and risk-factor modification, though results vary by population and intervention.

Policy and research aim to compress morbidity—extending healthy years while reducing years lived with disability—amid aging populations. Ongoing work seeks better biomarkers, standardized measures, and equitable interventions that can be implemented at scale.