---
title: “Healthspan”
description: "Short neologism built out of \"healthy lifespan\". #### Details Increasing used in epidemiology to index healthy life expectancy rather than life expectancy *per se*. Related to \"heathy life years\". At birth, or at later points in people's lives, it's the…"
url: "https://www.psyctc.org/psyctc/glossary2/healthspan/"
updated: "2026-06-01"
category: All OM book glossary entries
---

# “Healthspan”

Short neologism built out of "healthy lifespan".

#### Details

Increasing used in epidemiology to index healthy life expectancy rather than life expectancy *per se*. Related to "heathy life years". At birth, or at later points in people's lives, it's the number of years they might expect to live without significant disabilities. These days such disabilities do include psychological, mental health, disabilities though those tend to be frame in a psychiatric/diagnostic way (unsurprisingly). Methodologies vary and clearly could have huge impacts on the numbers but that's a bit beyond the remit here I think.

#### Try also

- Disability

#### Chapters

Not covered in the OMbook.

#### Online resources

None likely from me!

#### Dates

First created 3.iii.26.