Healthspan vs. Lifespan

Definitions

Lifespan

The total length of time an organism lives, from birth to death.

Healthspan

The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease and significant disability.

The Gap

In many developed nations, lifespan has increased significantly over the last century due to sanitation, vaccines, and acute medical care. However, healthspan has not always kept pace. This creates a "gap"—a period of later life frequently characterized by multi-morbidity (suffering from multiple chronic conditions simultaneously).

Why Modern Research Focuses on Healthspan

The primary goal of modern geroscience is often described as "compressing morbidity." This means postponing the onset of age-related disease so that the period of illness at the end of life is as short as possible.

Focusing on healthspan prioritizes quality of life over merely extending existence. Research suggests that interventions targeting the biological processes of ageing may delay the onset of multiple diseases at once, effectively extending healthspan.