Member-only story
Healthy365
I recently downloaded and started using Health Promotion Board’s Healthy365 app with the intention of improving my healthspan. To those who have not yet realized this, lifespan and healthspan are two distinct concepts that refer to different aspects of our lives.
Lifespan vs Healthspan
Lifespan: Lifespan is the total duration of an individual’s life, measured from birth to death. It is a chronological measure of the length of one’s life. Advances in healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions have contributed to an increase in the average lifespan in Singapore and many parts of the world. Improvements in medical technology and public health interventions have led to a greater number of people reaching older ages.
Healthspan: Healthspan, on the other hand, focuses on the period of life during which an individual is generally healthy and free from serious illness or significant health issues. It is more about the quality of life rather than the sheer quantity of years lived. Maximizing healthspan involves maintaining good physical (and mental) health, preventing the onset of chronic diseases, and ensuring a high quality of life as one ages. Unlike lifespan, which is “fixed”, healthspan varies among individuals based on their lifestyle and healthcare practices.
