ASPPH to Highlight Healthy Longevity at APHA’s Annual Meeting

ASPPH looks forward to connecting with public health colleagues at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo, taking place November 2-5 in Washington, DC. As part of the conference program, ASPPH will host a special session, ASPPH Healthy Longevity Framework: Aligning Public Health to Successfully Advance Healthspan, on Monday, November 3, from 10:30 AM -12:00 PM ET.

This important discussion will explore how academic public health can help extend the number of years people live in good health, highlighting the evidence-based strategies and partnerships needed to strengthen wellness across the lifespan.

The session builds on the findings and recommendations of the ASPPH Healthy Longevity Task Force, released earlier this year. The Task Force report calls on schools and programs of public health to integrate longevity science, preventive care, and social determinants of health into research, education, and practice. These efforts aim to ensure that communities not only live longer, but live better and with greater equity, independence, and well-being at every age.

Moderated by Dr. Hilary Godwin, dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health, the session will feature an esteemed panel including Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala, dean of the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health; Tim Leshan, Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer at ASPPH; and Dr. Lisa Renzi-Hammond, Director of the Institute of Gerontology and Associate Professor at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. They will explore how public health leaders can work across sectors, from healthcare and education to housing and environmental design, to support healthy longevity at every stage of life.

Healthy longevity is an increasingly urgent public health priority. As populations age and chronic disease rates rise, extending "healthspan," which is the portion of life spent in good health, requires innovative approaches that bridge science, policy, and community practice. ASPPH's Healthy Longevity Framework offers a roadmap for how academic public health can lead this effort by advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, prevention-focused research, and equitable access to resources that promote lifelong wellness.

Through this APHA session, ASPPH looks forward to reaffirming its commitment to shaping a healthier future for all and one where every person, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive across their full lifespan.