Age Well, Live Better: Your Health Span

If you ask most people, almost everyone wants to live longer. As a physician, I’ve had countless patients seek advice on how to improve their longevity. But in recent years, the question has evolved. Instead of simply asking, “How do I live longer?”, more people are asking:

“How do I live better?”

This shift represents a growing awareness that lifespan (how long we live) is outpacing health span (how well we live). While medical advancements have added years to our lives, those extra years are often burdened by chronic disease, medications, and declining physical function. The key to aging well isn’t just living longer—it’s living better.

The Changing Landscape of Aging

We are, without a doubt, living longer. Here’s a quick look at history:

• Roman Empire (c. 100 AD): Average life expectancy 22-33 years

• Europe, United States, 1776: 37 years

• United States, 1950: 65 years

• United States, Today: 77.5 years (CDC, 2023)

This dramatic improvement is a direct result of modern medicine, including vaccines, antibiotics, imaging technology, and life-saving procedures. But with this progress comes a new challenge of managing our chronic diseases and declining health as we live longer.

Indeed, the way we age today looks different from previous generations.  Historically, the biggest threats to our health were infections and injuries. However, since the 1950s, the leading causes of death have shifted to chronic diseases which now include:

• Heart disease

• Cancer

• Chronic respiratory diseases

• Diabetes

While medicine has helped us survive longer with these conditions, the reality is that most seniors are now managing multiple chronic illnesses—often with a growing list of medications.

Aging Today: Longer Life, Higher Costs, More Challenges

Aging isn’t just hard on the body—it’s also costly. Consider these statistics:

• 85% of adults over 65 have at least one chronic condition.

• 60% of adults over 65 have two or more chronic conditions.

• The average 65-year-old takes 4.3 prescription medications— and yet up to 44% of them may be inappropriate under geriatric guidelines!

• Nearly half of a person’s lifetime healthcare costs occur during their senior years.

For many, the reality of aging parents and baby boomers requiring complex medical care is eye-opening. It’s no surprise that younger generations are asking how they can age better—not just longer.  The goal should be to maximize our health span—the number of years lived in good health, free from disability and disease - which automatically increases our lifespan.

The Role of Preventative Care in Aging Well

The good news? We know more about disease prevention today than ever before. Research shows that many of the top causes of death are largely preventable—or at the very least, can be delayed with the right lifestyle habits.

Yet, healthcare remains largely reactive, not proactive:

• 50% of Americans do not receive recommended preventative care.

• Only 3% of U.S. healthcare spending is used on preventative health.

• The average primary care visit lasts just 15-18 minutes—often too short for meaningful conversations about long-term health strategies.

As a result, patients may receive orders for tests like colonoscopies but rarely discuss the lifestyle factors that contribute to disease in the first place. This reactive approach has led to longer lifespans, but not necessarily healthier ones.

How to Increase Your Health Span

The key to aging well is understanding that your health is a continuum—and taking proactive steps to optimize it.

• Understand Your Risks – Know the top causes of death and disability, and assess your own risk factors.

• Implement Preventative Habits – Lifestyle choices like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management play a major role in disease prevention and longevity.

• Utilize High-Value Medical Testing – Screenings like ApoB, Lp(a), CAC scoring and metabolic testing help identify risk factors before disease develops.

• Shift from Reactive to Proactive Health – Instead of waiting for problems to arise, take steps now to delay or prevent them.

The goal isn’t just to add years to your life—it’s to add life to your years.

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

If you’re looking for ways to increase both your lifespan and health span, I’d love to help guide you on your health journey. Taking action today can mean more energy, better function, and a higher quality of life in the years ahead.

Let’s work together to optimize your health for the future—so you can not only live longer but live better.