Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has opened the Healthspan Clinic, a new facility focused on helping patients prevent and treat age-related conditions. The clinic is designed for adults 18 and older and aims to address issues such as cognitive decline and mobility impairment.
Sara Espinoza, MD, who serves as the medical director of the Healthspan Clinic, said, “Aging is the leading risk factor for developing multiple chronic conditions that diminish quality of life. This unique clinic offers scientifically backed science with clinically proven treatment and lifestyle recommendations that can improve health and wellbeing—now—and as individuals age.”
The clinic’s approach centers on “healthspan,” which refers to the period of life spent in good health rather than simply extending lifespan. Physician-scientists at Cedars-Sinai emphasize maintaining patient health and independence for as long as possible.
James Kirkland, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Advanced Gerotherapeutics at Cedars-Sinai, explained the approach: “To do so, it is important that our approach is guided by scientifically proven, evidence-based findings about the fundamental aging processes that are root-cause contributors to multiple disorders and diseases—in other words, the new field of geroscience.”
Patients at the Healthspan Clinic receive an in-person assessment that evaluates physical and cognitive function along with lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. Espinoza noted these consultations allow discussion of healthy-aging goals and habits. Patients also receive advice on lifestyle changes related to diet, exercise, and sleep quality. Additionally, those interested can join a biorepository project tracking biomarkers linked to disease onset.
Espinoza described the initiative: “This clinic is an opportunity to change the trajectory of a patient’s health before they have complex medical issues.” She also directs the Center for Translational Geroscience at Cedars-Sinai where clinical trials focus on medicines and lifestyle interventions for healthy aging.
Other specialists involved include Nicolas Musi, MD—director of Cedars-Sinai’s Diabetes and Aging Center—and Kirkland. They offer recommendations on metabolism, endocrinology concerns, and potential interventions affecting core aging processes.
Healthspan physicians may refer patients to clinical trials either at Cedars-Sinai or through the Translational Geroscience Network (TGN), an international group led by Kirkland studying aging biology to prevent or treat age-related diseases. TGN oversees 90 clinical trials across the U.S. and northern Europe. The National Institutes of Health recently renewed its grant support for TGN with nearly $3 million over four years.
Kirkland stated: “The NIH renewal allows the network to keep studying a range of conditions that accelerate aging, including long COVID, obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, to ultimately find new ways to help people age in better health.”
Plans are underway for hiring physical trainers and dietitians at the clinic to provide personalized nutrition and exercise plans.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1902 under its current president Thomas M. Priselac, it functions both as a treatment center—admitting over 50,000 patients annually—and a training hospital with various specialized wards.
