Is “health span” the new life span and how can you increase yours?

In October 2014, oncologist Ezekiel Emanuel published an article in the Atlantic entitled: ‘Why I hope to die at 75’.

This may sound like an odd sentiment – the idea of hoping to die at a certain time is not one many people share – but Emanuel’s argument is fascinating. As a doctor, he spent his life helping those with life-threatening illnesses, and from this experience he decided he didn’t want any medical interventions after he turned 75.

He argues that by 75, “I will have lived a complete life. I will have loved and been loved. My children will be grown and in the midst of their own rich lives. I will have seen my grandchildren born and beginning their lives […]. Dying at 75 will not be a tragedy.”

Essentially, Emanuel argues that your “health span” – the time spent living healthily and actively – is more important than your overall life span.

While your views on life span versus health span might not be so extreme, it could be helpful to consider not just how long you’ll live, but for how long you’ll live a healthy, happy life.

Keep reading to discover why considering your own “health span” could help you take steps to improve your wellbeing.

Life expectancies in the UK are rising

A man who turned 50 in 2024 has a life expectancy of 84 years, with a 1 in 4 chance of living to 93. For a woman of the same age, her life expectancy is 87, with a 1 in 4 chance of living until she’s 95.

Using the Office for National Statistics (ONS) life expectancy calculator, you can determine how long, on average, you might be expected to live. The younger you are, the longer your life expectancy in theory – a 30-year-old woman today has a life expectancy of 88, for instance, and a 10-year-old girl can expect to live to 90.

3 in 4 adults are now expected to need later-life care

Aside from the question of life expectancy, there might be a perhaps more pressing concern on your mind: quality of life in old age.

While it’s wonderful to live a long time, you might worry about sustaining a good quality of life if you live to a very old age.

Indeed, while we’re now expected to live longer than the generations before us, more of us are expected to need care as a result.

Research from the International Longevity Centre (ILC), published by Fidelity, estimates that the number of over-65s in the UK will increase from 11.2 million today to 17.2 million by 2040. From this, the ILC deduced that 3 in 4 adults can now expect to need later-life care at some point.

All this said, it could be wise to start thinking about your health span now and making tangible steps towards healthy longevity.

5 ways to improve your health span

1. Go for a daily walk

Daily walking helps to keep your muscles and bones strong, a key indicator of longevity and good health.

As you age, it may be more tempting to stay indoors, especially in the autumn and winter months. If you can relate to this feeling, try buddying up with a friend or neighbour for a daily stroll or even joining a walking or running club to stay motivated.

2. Keep your mind active

Puzzling, completing jigsaws, and attending fun events like the local pub quiz can all keep your brain sharp as you continue to age.

Some studies have even shown that these kinds of activities can help to keep cognitive diseases at bay, helping individuals to live a fuller life for longer.

3. Maintain social interaction

Loneliness is a common yet underdiscussed contributor to declining health in older people. The US National Institute on Aging says isolation and loneliness are linked to serious health conditions like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s disease.

So, ensure you’re continuing to keep up with social contact, and perhaps consider joining groups to keep pursuing hobbies and remain close to your community.

4. Spend time in nature

Nature-focused activities like walking and gardening could be key to longevity. Keeping a garden, for example, ensures you’re always busy with an outdoor activity and might promote positive mental health too.

5. Keep up with regular health checks

Although it can be daunting, ensuring you attend regular health checkups could mean that any illnesses that arise are caught quickly.

Identifying diseases in their early stages may give you a better chance of making a full recovery and maintaining good health for longer.

Putting these healthy habits in place at an early age might mean you’re able to stick to them as the years go by, giving yourself the best opportunity at a long health span.