The findings suggests a need for discussions on workplace policies, healthcare accessibility and societal support for long-term health. Photo: Freepik
A recent poll has revealed that an overwhelming majority of people prioritise extending their healthspan (the number of years they live in good health) by making conscious lifestyle choices.
The poll was created for an article on prolonging life with good healthspan and it gathered responses from 15 participants, shedding light on the public's attitude towards health longevity, lifestyle habits and the challenges preventing people from maintaining optimal health.
Results of this poll highlight a growing public awareness and concern regarding healthspan. While the majority of respondents value extending their years of good health and believe effectiveness of lifestyle changes, challenges such as work stress continue to hinder prioritisation of wel-being.
The willingness to invest in personal health, along with the diverse perspectives on what influences healthspan, suggests a pressing need for further discussions on workplace policies, healthcare accessibility and societal support for long-term health maintenance.
With increasing awareness and commitment, the goal of a longer and healthier life may be within reach for many.
The importance of healthspan
The poll indicated that nearly all respondents place significant value on extending their healthy years.
When asked how important it was to increase their healthspan, an astonishing 93% responded that it was 'very important', while only seven percent deemed it 'not important at all.'
Not a single respondent dismissed the significance of healthspan improvement, suggesting a widely shared desire to maintain good health for as long as possible.
Despite recognising the importance of healthspan and the effectiveness of lifestyle changes, many respondents acknowledged the difficulty of prioritising their health due to modern work schedules.
A striking 93% believed that hectic work schedules prevent people from focusing on their health while only seven percent were unsure.
No respondents disagreed with this claim, illustrating how work-related pressures may act as a barrier to healthy living.
Popular health practices
When asked which habits they currently practice to promote their healthspan, respondents highlighted a range of activities.
The most common practices were regular exercise and abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes, each adopted by 33% of participants.
Meanwhile, 13% reported prioritising adequate sleep and another 13% cited 'other' health-promoting practices.
However, seven percent admitted to not engaging in any specific healthspan-enhancing habits, reflecting a small portion of individuals who may struggle to implement healthy routines.
The survey also explored whether people would be willing to allocated more time and money towards improving their healthspan if it meant living a healthier life.
