What your healthspan is and why it matters now more than ever

From Oscar Wilde to Doctor Who, we’re always fascinated by living longer. But a critical question remains: how can we make sure those added years are healthy ones? 

Unlike lifespan, which merely counts the years we live, healthspan focuses on the quality of those years, specifically those spent free from chronic diseases.¹ Healthspan is about thriving, not just surviving.

Understanding healthspan

Simply put, healthspan is the portion of our life where we maintain good health, free from the debilitating effects of serious diseases.² This concept is more relevant than ever as our life expectancies have risen significantly over the decades, but many still spend a large number of those years dealing with chronic illnesses.¹ 

While life expectancy has increased from an average of 47 years in 1950 to 73 today, many people experience around nine years of life burdened with illness.¹

Why is healthspan important?

The growing interest in healthspan is driven by a desire to enhance the quality of life and not just its duration. An extended healthspan means fewer years spent living with illnesses, less strain on healthcare systems, and a better overall quality of life.

The science behind extending healthspan

Recent research suggests that specific lifestyle interventions and biomarkers can play significant roles in extending healthspan.³ Studies have shown that managing biomarkers related to glucose, cholesterol, and inflammation could be pivotal in maintaining good health as we age.³ For instance, a Swedish study found that if your blood sugar markers, like HbA1c, increase significantly, your risk of developing chronic diseases rises by 29%.⁴ This implies that dietary and lifestyle changes, along with medical interventions, can significantly impact how long we stay healthy. 

If your aim is to optimise your long-term health, a key starting point is to gain a deeper understanding of your internal health. A comprehensive blood test provides precisely this, offering a baseline assessment of your body's current status and spotlighting a clear pathway for targeted improvements.

The numan take 

While advancements in medical science have improved our lifespan, the next challenge is improving our healthspan. Look at life beyond just the number of years and focus on how healthy and fulfilling those years can be.

References

1. Garmany, A., Yamada, S., & Terzic, A. (2021). Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap. npj Regenerative Medicine, 6, Article 57.

2. NHS Digital. (2024, September 24). Health survey for England, 2022 Part 2: Adult overweight and obesity. NHS Digital. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2022/part-2-adult-overweight-and-obesity

3. Chun, E., Crete, A., Neal, C., Joseph, R., & Pojednic, R. (2024). The healthspan project: A retrospective pilot of biomarkers and biometric outcomes after a 6-month multi-modal wellness intervention. Healthcare, 12(6), 676.

4. Li, X., Ploner, A., Wang, Y., Zhan, Y., Pedersen, N. L., & Magnusson, P. K. E. (2021). Clinical biomarkers and associations with healthspan and lifespan: Evidence from observational and genetic data. eBioMedicine,