What is healthy aging and longevity?

    Researchedby:
    Morgan Pfiffner

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Louie Neri, Rob Stenstrom
    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Longevity, also known as lifespan, is the length of time spent alive. Human longevity varies depending on numerous factors, including socioeconomic status, sex, gender, and lifestyle, but in the United States the average person lives to be about 79 years old.[1]

    Healthy aging is the process of maintaining good health and functional ability during older age. A related concept is healthspan, a term defined as the number of years of life spent in good health, free of the chronic diseases and disabilities associated with aging.[2]

    References

    1. ^Woolf SH, Schoomaker HLife Expectancy and Mortality Rates in the United States, 1959-2017.JAMA.(2019-11-26)
    2. ^Kaeberlein MHow healthy is the healthspan concept?Geroscience.(2018-08)