Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why the Difference Matters

Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why the Difference Matters Would you rather live to 100 but spend your last 20 years in a wheelchair, or live to 90 with the energy, clarity, and independence of your younger self? This is the heart of the healthspan vs. lifespan debate. While lifespan counts the total years you live, healthspan measures the years you spend in good health—free from chronic disease, significant disability, or cognitive decline. Medical advances have dramatically extended our lifespans. In 1900, global life expectancy was just 31 years; today it’s over 73. But these gains haven’t always come with better quality of life. Many people now spend their final years managing multiple health conditions, relying on caregivers, and enduring physical or mental decline. The real challenge—and opportunity—is ensuring that the extra years we gain are vibrant, not just endured. “Adding years to life is good. Adding life to years is even better.” In this ar...