What is Healthspan? How Does it Differ from Lifespan?
I remember my grandfather carrying his snow skis over his shoulder to the slopes in his eighties. Looking back at photos of him, I remember that I did not know as a small child that a man snow skiing at 82 was unusual in any way. He was a physician and I knew he exercised regularly, it was not until I went to medical school that I understood how rare it was to have his kind of health that late in his life. My grandfather clearly understood the importance of preserving his health so that he could increase his Healthspan in addition to his Lifespan.
My grandfather, Merton, at age 78 with my grandmother, Evelyn.
I want to pause here to clearly define two terms we often use in Longevity Medicine: Lifespan and Healthspan.
Lifespan is the length of a person’s life from the time of their birth to their death. This seems straightforward and most people would prefer to live longer. While it is one of the goals of longevity medicine to prolong one's life, most individuals would agree that living longer in pain or in a limited state is not the desired outcome.
Healthspan is defined as the length of a person’s health and energy from the time of their birth until they can no longer participate in the activities that bring them joy. For some people, health is having the energy they need to spend time with those they love. For others, it is having the strength to engage in sports they love or to be able to play with their grandchildren. At the minimum, health means avoiding limitations that inhibit a person's activity and mobility.
As a physician, my primary goal is to expand lifespan in proportion to an extended healthspan. My dream is for you to have the strength, energy, and zest for life in your eighties that you had when you were in your forties. I want you to wake up each day of your retirement and be physically able to do whatever it is that brings you joy. My role is to encourage you to make the hard investments in yourself now so you reap can the rewards in your eighties.
By taking the steps to care for yourself now, you can be fully present for the things you love for decades more to come. My grandfather was an inspiration to me for what it meant to have Longevity - to have the health he needed to pursue his passions. My wish is for you to have this same zest for life and good health my grandfather had.
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