Longevity vs. Health Span – How can we all stay healthy longer?

As the new year begins, many of us reflect on the past year and prioritize our goals to achieve optimal health and wellness. For some, this means focusing on living longer; for others it means living a healthier life.

The distinction between longevity – the number of years we live – and health span – the years we live free of disease or disability – is a crucial public health conversation, especially for underserved communities facing systemic inequities.

Underserved communities, including rural populations, Indigenous peoples, sexual and gender minority groups, and communities of color, often face disproportionate barriers to health and well-being. These barriers can include limited access to quality health care, systemic discrimination, higher rates of chronic disease, and the stress of dealing with structural inequality. The various risks these communities face determine their chances of living a longer life, let alone a healthier one. Addressing the root causes of these health disparities is essential to creating equal opportunities for all individuals to thrive.

As a public health researcher and higher education leader with three decades of experience addressing social determinants of health, I believe that focusing on health span goes beyond semantics: it’s about prioritizing the quality of life over simply extending years. Achieving this shift requires not only changes at the institutional level, but also active involvement of individuals (and people in decision-making roles) who can drive demand for healthier practices and policies.

As we imagine a new year full of resolutions, what would it look like to focus on improving health – not just for ourselves but for our communities? Here are three strategies we can follow, as individuals and as a society, to prioritize healthier lives for everyone.

1. Advocate for preventive care

Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of healthcare. This means we all schedule our annual checkups, receive recommended vaccinations, chronic disease screenings, and health education courses so we can make informed decisions about our health. But access to preventive care is not fair. Expanding Medicaid, advocating for more funding in your state’s legislation for community clinics, combating vaccine misinformation, and addressing the shortage of culturally competent providers can help bridge the gap for underserved communities.

2. Addressing social determinants of health

The conditions in which people live, work and play have an outsized impact on their health. Health should be included in all policies, especially those that address social determinants – such as affordable housing, access to quality education and equality in the workplace – because they can create environments that promote longer, healthier lives. For example, ensuring access to nutritious food Through initiatives such as nutritious food banks, subsidized farmers markets or urban gardening programs, we can reduce diet-related chronic diseases in low-income neighborhoods.

3. Invest in our collective health

Building a healthier future requires that individuals in every sector are given the tools and knowledge to prioritize wellness. For example, HR managers can invite speakers to educate employees about menopause, breaking stigmas and promoting workplace support. Nurses and medical professionals can benefit from continued medical education on healthier lifestyle habits, improving both their own health and their ability to manage patients. Librarians can provide training on dispelling misinformation and communicating science effectively, helping communities navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. By investing in collective health education, we create ripple effects that benefit everyone.

A call to action

As we navigate this new year, let’s resolve to think beyond individual health resolutions and embrace collective resolutions. For policymakers and those whose decisions affect many, this means advancing health care equity by strengthening budgets for programs that dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequities. For healthcare providers, this means delivering care that respects and reflects the diverse identities and experiences of their patients. To voters, we can advocate at the local, state, and federal levels for investments in preventive health care, ensuring resources are allocated to promote well-being before disease occurs.

Improving health status is not solely the responsibility of policymakers or public health leaders – it is a collective effort. By taking personal steps to maintain our own health while holding organizations and leaders accountable for supporting long, healthy lives for all, we can ensure that health becomes a priority at every level of society.

Health span is not just about the years we add to our lives, but also about the life we ​​add to our years. For underserved communities that have long borne the burden of health inequities, extending health care is an act of justice, a promise of opportunity, and a commitment to equity.

This new year offers an opportunity to rethink what it means to live well. Let’s take this opportunity to ensure that well-being is not a privilege, but a right – for everyone.