By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    5 Basic Types Of Eye Tests That Are Part Of An Eye Exam
    September 24, 2018
    Knowledge About Malpractice Lawsuits Can Give You Some Peace | Healthcare Career Resources
    Knowledge About Malpractice Lawsuits Can Give You Some Peace
    September 18, 2020
    How Your Job Can Impact Your Health
    December 11, 2018
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Health Span: a Nifty Measure
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Health Span: a Nifty Measure
Public Health

Health Span: a Nifty Measure

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

One of the striking things about people who live to very old ages is how spry and healthy many are until close to the end. There are exceptions of course, but in general the very old are a hopeful beacon for those who are younger. So I was happy to see a Wall Street Journal article (Living Lab Sets Up at a Seniors Residence), which profiles efforts by the Mayo Clinic to apply research on healthier aging to an old-age residence next door.

One of the striking things about people who live to very old ages is how spry and healthy many are until close to the end. There are exceptions of course, but in general the very old are a hopeful beacon for those who are younger. So I was happy to see a Wall Street Journal article (Living Lab Sets Up at a Seniors Residence), which profiles efforts by the Mayo Clinic to apply research on healthier aging to an old-age residence next door. The article introduced me to the term “health span,” defined as “the number of years living on one’s own and free of major disease.” That’s a great objective that conforms to how almost everyone wants to age.

Researchers –and presumably their subjects, too– are looking for ways to extend the health span and bring it as close to the lifespan as possible. Techniques include medication adherence apps, vital sign monitoring systems, and seeking medications to improve muscle function. The article doesn’t discuss non-medical interventions, but there is a photo of residents lifting weights so presumably that’s an important part of the approach. I sure hope so.

“If you can attack the intersection between aging and chronic disease, you could really improve the health and independence of older people,” says Dr. [James] Kirkland, [head of Mayo’s Center on Aging].

More Read

Collaboration, Consolidation Should Define 2014 for Health Tracking Wearables, Apps
Misinformation and Medical Marijuana: Why Public Perception Matters in MMJ Policy
Addressing the Phenomenon of “Pill Mill” Doctors
Primary Care of HIV Patients Increasing in Importance
10 Innovative Ways to Improve the Patient Experience

“This could substantially decrease health costs, especially if we are able to extend health span and shorten the period of disability at the end of the life span,” he adds.

I hope it works out.

 


TAGGED:geriatricshealth spanwellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctor?

October 16, 2011

Innovative Ways for Older Americans to be Never too Old to Play

May 27, 2012
one way
Health ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Health Reform: Making the Senate Republican Plan Better

February 10, 2014

Personalized Medicine and a Cure for Cancer

December 10, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?