Health span is years lived in good health, free from chronic disease, unlike lifespan (total years) [1]. As lifespans grow, unhealthy years increase, emphasizing the increase need for healthy aging [2].

Life expectancy (2021-2023 births): 81.1 years (males), 85.1 (females) [3]. Healthy life expectancy (HALE): 71.6 (males), 73.6 (females), leaving ~10 years with health issues [4]. In 2023, males lost 9.5 years and females 11.5 years to disability or premature death [5].

Top 2023 death causes: ischaemic heart disease (16.5% of deaths), dementia (13.2%), stroke (7.8%), lung cancer (6.5%), chronic respiratory diseases (5.2%) [6]. Dementia may soon lead [7]. 2024 disease burden: cancer (18%), mental health/substance use (15%), musculoskeletal (13%), cardiovascular (12%), neurological (10%) [8]. Half of Australians have chronic conditions like arthritis (15%), back pain (16%), mental health issues (20%), asthma (10%), diabetes (6%) [9]. Early intervention supports healthier aging.

Perimenopause (typically 40s) brings hormonal shifts causing irregular periods, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep issues [10]. Symptoms impact sleep, mental health, and quality of life, raising risks for osteoporosis or heart disease if unmanaged [11]. About 20% of women experience severe symptoms affecting health span [12]. Lifestyle changes or hormone therapy may help [13]. Education empowers early action for tailored aging support [14].

Whole-food diets (fruits, veggies, proteins, fats) cut medical disease risks [15]. Anti-inflammatory foods (berries, fish) can boost gut/metabolism [16]. Hydration & weight control aid healthy aging [17].

Aerobic/strength/flexibility exercises maintain muscle, heart, mobility are importants in reducing frailty [18]. Less sitting can also improve health [19].

Quality sleep is important. It repairs cells, boosts cognition/immunity. Consistent rhythms can slow a persons decline [20][21].

Social ties are are thought to reduce cognitive decline [22]. Mindfulness can aid stress & resilience [23].

Vitals can be used for early detection of disease [24]. Quitting smoking has benefits to health span [24]. Some vaccinations not only aid disease prevention but even can aid dementia and A.I may aid health including health span as we move to the future. [25].

Factors vary by genetics/environment [1]. Longevity science evolves; learn from reliable sources. Book consultation for advice. Stay proactive!

1. Iwashyna TJ, et al. Healthspan is more important than lifespan. Washington University School of Medicine; 2017

2. Janssen I, et al. How healthy is the healthspan concept? Geroscience. 2018;40(4):361-364

3. Lara J, et al. Towards measurement of the Healthy Ageing Phenotype in lifestyle-based intervention studies. Maturitas. 2015;82(1):37-43

4. Kennedy BK, et al. Geroscience: linking aging to chronic disease. Cell. 2014;159(4):709-713

5. Lopez-Otin C, et al. The hallmarks of aging. Cell. 2013;153(6):1194–1217

6. Partridge L, et al. The quest to slow ageing through drug discovery. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2018;17(8):513–532

7. Zhang Y, et al. Dietary restriction improves health and survival of rhesus monkeys. Nat Commun. 2014;5:4389

8. Di Francesco A, et al. Mechanisms of lifespan extension by caloric restriction: lessons from Drosophila. Front Physiol. 2019;10:318

9. Fontana L, et al. Translating longevity research into increased healthspan. Aging Cell. 2018;17(4):e12742

10. Barzilai N, et al. Metformin as a tool to target aging. Cell Metab. 2016;23(6):1060–1065

11. Longo VD, et al. Fasting-mimicking diet and markers/risk factors for aging, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Sci Transl Med. 2015;7(296):296ra111

12. Fraser GE, et al. Vegetarian diets and cardiovascular mortality. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(13):1230–1238

13. Walker MA, et al. Sleep and human aging. Neuron. 2015;85(5):1025–1036

14. Singh-Manoux A, et al. Physical activity and cognitive decline. BMJ. 2019;364:l532

15. Santini ZI, et al. Social connectedness and mental health. JAMA Psychiatry. 2018;75(2):123–129

16. Reblin M, Uchino BN. Social and emotional support and its implication for health. Curr Opin Psychol. 2018;5:1–5

17. Epel ES, et al. Telomeres and social connection. Front Psychol. 2018;9:811

18. Steptoe A, et al. Subjective wellbeing, health, and longevity. Annu Rev Public Health. 2015;36:389–405

19. Li Y, et al. Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(5):718–724

20. Ridgeway G, et al. Socioeconomic status and healthspan disparities. Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(7):610–618

21. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health disparities report. 2020

22. Levine ME, et al. Biological age and interventions. Nat Med. 2019;25(4):657–666

23. Horvath S, Raj K. DNA methylation-based biomarkers and the epigenetic clock theory of ageing. Nat Rev Genet. 2018;19(6):371–384

24. Rasmussen BF, et al. Preventive health screenings increase life expectancy. Scand J Public Health. 2007;35(4):365-372

25. The New York Times. Is A.I. the Future of Longevity? 2025