Rethinking Aging: Why ‘Healthspan’ Matters As Much As Lifespan

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Mayo Clinic physicians are working hard to change how clinicians and patients think about aging. A new publication in Mayo Clinic Proceedings outlines a new framework for “healthspan”—the years of life spent in good health, with preserved function, cognition and independence. The paper, coauthored by Christina Chen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic physician in internal medicine and geriatrics, and Sara Bonnes, M.D., argues that living longer is not necessarily the same as living well and explores how a greater focus on healthspan could reshape medical care. Here, Dr. Chen discusses the research and its implications for patients and clinicians.

What is ‘healthspan,’ and how is it different from lifespan or longevity?

Patients often say, ‘I want to live to be 100,’ and that is a meaningful goal. But living longer may not be the same as living well.

Healthspan is about how well you live during those years—your ability to function independently, think clearly, and maintain a good quality of life. It shifts the focus from simply adding years to making sure those years are meaningful.

Why does this distinction matter now?

Doctors have been very successful at extending lifespan, but less effective at preserving the quality of those added years.

What we are seeing in clinical practice is that many people are living longer with chronic disease, reduced mobility, cognitive impairment and increasing dependence. That gap between years lived and years lived well is growing, and it is something clinicians see every day.

What are clinicians missing in today’s approach to care?

When we equate living longer with living better, care can become too focused on disease alone. We may not pay enough attention to one’s functional abilities, cognitive health, the ability to remain independent at home—the things patients value most.

Traditional measures like lab values or survival rates do not tell us whether someone can manage their daily activities, stay socially connected or continue living safely and independently. That is a critical gap in how we define success in medicine.

How can healthspan be measured in clinical practice?

Healthspan becomes actionable when we start measuring additional domains like physical function, cognitive health and independence in a consistent way.

We already have practical tools to do this—things like gait speed, grip strength, balance assessments, cognitive screening and patient-reported outcomes. These are validated measures that can be incorporated into routine care and give us a much clearer picture of how patients are actually doing.

When we also prioritize measuring these domains alongside thoughtful preventive care, we can track them over time and use them to guide clinical decisions in a way that aligns with what patients care about most.

How could a focus on healthspan change patient care?

A healthspan-focused approach shifts the goal of care toward helping patients stay independent, mobile and clear-minded for as long as possible.

It also changes how we talk to patients. Instead of focusing only on treating disease, we can frame care around how to preserve function, cognition and overall well-being so they are able to live well with dignity. That shift helps patients better understand the purpose behind recommendations and can improve engagement in their care.

What should patients and clinicians be thinking about differently?

We can start by changing the conversation, it begins with the words we use. Instead of asking only how to extend life, we can ask how to help patients live well, what are their goals and how can we help them reach those goals.

That includes preserving the ability to perform everyday activities, maintain social connections and continue living independently. Small changes in how we talk about care can help patients see that the goal is not just longevity, but living with quality, dignity and purpose.

What are the next steps for this research?

Our goal is to make healthspan something we can measure and track in everyday clinical practice. If we can do that, we can better align care with outcomes that truly impact patients’ lives.

The next steps include developing standardized metrics, integrating them across specialties and designing care models that prioritize function, independence and long-term quality of life.

Review the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding.