Americans are living longer lives than ever before, but are we living better? The data is sobering: while life expectancy continues to rise, healthspan, or the number of years spent in good health, isn’t keeping up. A recent study published in the JAMA Network highlights this growing gap, with the United States facing a troubling 12-year disparity between lifespan and healthspan. That means millions of Americans are spending over a decade grappling with chronic illness, mobility issues and declining independence. We celebrate longevity, but what good is living longer if we aren’t living well?
If we want to change the trajectory of aging, we need to rethink how we measure health. And surprisingly, the answer may lie right under our feet.
What Our Walk Says About Our Health
We take walking for granted–just one foot in front of the other, thousands of times per day. It’s so natural to us that we often don’t think about it until we begin to have mobility challenges. However, the way we walk is one of the most revealing indicators of our overall well-being.
Gait goes far beyond simple movement; it’s a reflection of multiple systems across the body. The nervous system controls coordination and balance. The musculoskeletal system powers each step. The cardiovascular system determines stamina and endurance. Metabolic health even plays a role, as conditions like diabetes can affect nerve function and change a person’s gait.
When something goes wrong within one of these systems, gait is often the first warning sign to show. A slower walking speed, an uneven step or a slight limp can be early signs of something bigger. Yet, despite its significance, gait is rarely factored into routine healthcare.
A Missed Opportunity in Medicine
Medicine relies on numbers. We quantify heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature and oxygen saturation to monitor health over time and catch problems early. Too often, gait is left out of this vital mix.
That’s a missed opportunity, particularly when it comes to preventing the very conditions that steal quality of life in old age. In the case of Parkinson’s disease, changes in gait, like shuffled steps or a reduced arm swing, can signal the disease’s onset long before tremors appear. Alzheimer’s has also been linked to specific walking patterns. When it comes to falls, the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in older adults, gait assessments could help identify those at risk before a serious injury occurs.
The science is clear: gait should be considered a vital sign. The real question is, why isn’t it?
From the Lab to Everyday Life
Historically, quantitative gait analysis was confined to specialized labs far from the average primary care office. While this data is great, there is not enough in the United States to make it practical or even accessible for everyone who could benefit from it. On the other hand, when gait analysis is done in clinical settings, it often relies on doctors’ observations, which are subjective and harder to track from visit to visit. It’s also more difficult to demonstrate medical necessity to insurers when relying only on subjective observations.
Technology is changing this. Artificial intelligence advancements are now making it possible to analyze gait outside of the lab or the clinical setting, in real-world environments, using devices as simple as a smartphone. That means gait analysis could become as routine as stepping on a scale.
Imagine a future where an annual physical includes a quick gait assessment, just as quick as a routine blood pressure check. This would allow for early signs of Parkinson’s or cardiovascular disease to be flagged years before symptoms appear, allowing for proactive treatment. Fall risk could be identified before the first fall happens, not after.
We have the tools. What we need now is a shift in mindset.
Rewriting the Future of Aging
Aging doesn’t have to mean decline. If we catch issues early, we can help intervene, whether through physical therapy, lifestyle changes or medical treatment, to help aging adults maintain the independence they cherish longer. We’ve extended lifespan. Now it’s time to extend healthspan. This starts with recognizing gait as a crucial indicator of health, not just a way of moving. Let’s walk toward a future where we measure what matters because, when it comes to aging well, every step counts.
About Patrick Tarnowski, PT, MBA
Pat, OneStep’s Chief Commercial Officer, is a healthcare leader with deep expertise in digital health, rehabilitation, and AI-driven care. A sought-after speaker and innovator, he has led large-scale clinical operations, pioneered virtual care solutions, and contributed to industry research.
