What Is “Intrinsic Capacity”? The New Way to Track Healthy Aging

You Should Know: The latest longevity concept that’s creating a buzz in the research community might not be familiar yet, but experts say you’ll be hearing a lot more about it in the future: intrinsic capacity (IC). In a nutshell, it’s a holistic measure of the body’s mental and physical capabilities. 

Going Deeper: The term has been around for more than a decade, after being defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015. Incorporating IC as a longevity measure is part of the WHO’s healthy aging initiative, which aims to shift more focus to helping people maintain functionality as they age, not simply ward off disease. Everyone has their own IC, influenced by genetics, disease, injury, aging, environmental exposures, and systemic influences (like access to healthcare).

Takeaway: IC scores focus on five subdomains: cognition, strength and mobility, vision and hearing, psychological wellbeing, and vitality. Research has shown IC scores correlate with disability and mortality risk. Some strength and mobility tests (like grip strength) are already regularly used to assess older adults’ health.

Bottom Line: Research is still in the early stages, but there’s potential for physicians to track patients’ IC over time to detect declines and intervene earlier.