Lifespan, healthspan and the gap between them
Living longer is not the same as living well. Here is what the numbers show.
VALREXA Biosciences · 6 min read · November 2026
- Lifespan is how long you live; healthspan is how long you live in good health.
- U.S. life expectancy reached a record 79.0 years in 2024.
- Studies estimate Americans spend more than a decade of life in poor health, one of the largest gaps in the world.
Two different goals
Lifespan is the length of life. Healthspan is the part of life spent free of serious disease and disability. Most longevity researchers today focus on extending healthspan: adding healthy years, not just years.
What the latest U.S. data show
| Measure (2024) | Value |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth, total | 79.0 years (up from 78.4 in 2023) |
| Females | 81.4 years |
| Males | 76.5 years |
| Leading cause of death | Heart disease |
| Second leading cause | Cancer |
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Data Brief No. 548.
The healthspan–lifespan gap
A 2024 analysis of 183 countries by Mayo Clinic researchers estimated that people worldwide live roughly the last nine to ten years of life in poor health, and that the United States has the largest gap, about 12 years. The gap is widening as lifespans grow faster than healthy years.
What drives healthy years
Genes matter, but most estimates put the heritability of lifespan fairly low, with modern studies suggesting well under a third. Much of the variation comes from behavior, environment and access to care. The largest, most consistent associations are with physical activity, not smoking, sleep, diet quality, social connection and managing blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. See the evidence behind the pillars of wellness.
Sources and further reading
- CDC NCHS: Mortality in the United States, 2024
- Garmany et al. 2024. Global healthspan–lifespan gaps. JAMA Network Open (PubMed)
- National Institute on Aging
VALREXA Biosciences. (2026, November 7). Lifespan, healthspan and the gap between them. VALREXA Biosciences. https://valrexa.com/longevity/lifespan-vs-healthspan.html
APA style · Last reviewed November 7, 2026 · Our editorial standardsEducational content, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.