As the new year begins, many of us reflect on the past year and prioritize our goals to reach optimum health and well-being. For some, this means focusing on living longer lives; for others, it means achieving a healthier life.
The distinction between lifespan—the number of years we live—and health span—the years we live free from disease or disability—is a critical conversation for public health, especially for disadvantaged communities that face systemic inequities.
Disadvantaged 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 may include limited access to quality healthcare, systemic discrimination, higher rates of chronic diseases, and the stress of navigating structural inequities. The differential risks these communities face shape their likelihood of living longer, let alone achieving a healthier life. Addressing the root causes of these health disparities is essential to creating equitable 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 focusing on health span goes beyond semantics—it’s about prioritizing quality of life over simply extending years. Achieving this shift requires not only changes at the institutional level but also active engagement from individuals (and people in decision-making roles) who can drive demand for healthier practices and policies.
As we envision a new year filled with resolutions, what would it look like to focus on improving health spans—not just for ourselves but for our communities? Here are three strategies we can take, 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 health span. This means each of us scheduling our annual check-ups, receiving recommended vaccinations, screenings for chronic diseases, and health education courses so we can make informed decisions about our health. But access to preventive care is not equitable. Expanding Medicaid, advocating for increased funding in your state’s legislation for community health clinics, fighting against vaccine misinformation and addressing the shortage of culturally competent providers can help bridge the gap for underserved communities.
2. Tackle Social Determinants of Health
The conditions in which people live, work, and play have an outsized impact on their health. Health should be incorporated into all policies, especially ones that address social determinants—such as affordable housing, access to quality education, and workplace equity— because they can create environments that foster longer, healthier lives. For example, ensuring access to nutritious food through initiatives like nutritious food pantries, subsidized farmers’ markets or urban gardening programs, we can reduce diet-related chronic illnesses in low-income neighborhoods.
3. Invest in Our Collective Health
Building a healthier future requires empowering individuals in every sector with the tools and knowledge to prioritize well-being. For example: human resources managers can invite speakers to educate employees about menopause, breaking stigmas and fostering workplace support. Nurses and medical professionals can benefit from continued medical education on healthier living habits, improving both their own health and their ability to guide patients. Librarians can hold training courses on dispelling misinformation and effectively communicating science, equipping communities to 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 ones. For policymakers and for those whose decisions affect many, this means advancing health equity by bolstering budgets for programs that dismantle the systems perpetuating disparities. For healthcare providers, it means delivering care that respects and reflects the diverse identities and experiences of their patients. For voters, we can advocate at local, state, and federal levels for investments in preventative health, ensuring that resources are allocated to promote well-being before illness occurs.
Improving health span is not solely the responsibility of policymakers or public health leaders—it’s a collective effort. By taking personal steps to maintain our own health while holding organizations and leaders accountable to support long, healthy lives for everyone, we can ensure that health span becomes a priority at every level of society.
Health span is not just about the years we add to our lives but the life we add to our years. For disadvantaged communities that have long borne the burden of health inequities, extending health span is an act of justice, a promise of possibility, and a commitment to equity.
This new year offers a chance to reimagine what it means to live well. Let’s take this opportunity to ensure that wellness is not a privilege but a right—for everyone.
