Most midlife adults feel better about their health than they did in their 30s, according to Hone Health data
Lifestyle
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3:30 PM on Friday, April 24
By Aviva Patz for Hone Health, Stacker
Most midlife adults feel better about their health than they did in their 30s, according to Hone Health data
Aging is often considered synonymous with physical and mental decline, but a new nationwide survey of 1,000 adults aged 35–65 shows that increasingly, people in this age group feel more in control of their health now than they did a decade ago.
The survey, conducted by Hone Health, a telehealth platform focused on longevity and preventative health, found nearly three-quarters of respondents are actively taking steps to improve their healthspan.
They’re managing their weight, building muscle, getting regular bloodwork, minding their heart health, taking sleep more seriously, investing in relationships, and making time to destress. And taking these proactive steps is making them feel rosier about their future: Nearly a third want to live to 100, especially if they can live those years in good health. Close to a quarter would like to live to 90–99.
“What stands out to me clinically from the data is that 70% of midlife adults feel more in control of their health than they did earlier in adulthood,” says longevity physician Candice Knight, M.D. “That belief matters more than people realize. A sense of control is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health outcomes.”
Knight says she tells her patients they have to be able to see themselves well to visualize the version of themselves they want to become. “When you stop seeing your health as something that happens to you, and start seeing it as something you can shape, that’s when real change becomes possible.”
That sense of control doesn't arrive all at once. The data shows it plays out differently depending on where someone is in midlife.
The 40s Are the New Launchpad
The 45–49 year-olds — squarely in the heart of midlife — report feeling the greatest control over their health of any age group, with 51% saying they feel "much more in control" than decades earlier.
They rank highly for a number of health habits typical of a lower biological age:
- 74% get regular checkups and screenings
- 68% get regular blood work
- 69% invest in strong relationships
Longevity ambition peaks here too: Adults ages 40–44 are more likely to aspire to live to 90–99 (31%) than any other age group.
The 50s Are a Take-Control Era
The 50s are when people appear to get most proactive about their health. Adults 55–59 rank among the highest for actively managing heart health (79%), immune health (80%), and emotional wellbeing (77%).
This group also leads in doctor checkups and screenings (87%) and regular blood work (85%). Adults ages 55–59 are also among the most ambitious about longevity, with 37% hoping to live to 100 or beyond.
For women, Knight believes that once they move through perimenopause, they begin to feel like themselves again. “Their energy returns, their clarity improves, and with that comes a sense of renewed optimism,” she says. “They finally start to see further into their future, and realize that those can be quality years.”
The 60s Are the Most Underreported Good-News Story in Aging
The 60–65-year-olds are the most likely to want to live to 100 (32%), and they’re following through — ranking among the highest age groups in regular checkups and screenings (83%), blood work (83%), and supplements (86%).
“The later-in-life patients are most optimistic about aging because they often have many fewer responsibilities and commitments, which allows them the time and space for self-care,” Knight says.
The Takeaway
Midlife adults across the country are pushing back against the idea that aging means decline. They're building habits, tracking their health, and thinking seriously about how long — and how well — they want to live. The data suggests that how you approach midlife may matter more than the number itself.
Results come from a January 2026 online survey of 1,000 adults aged 35–65. The survey explored attitudes about aging, health behaviors, identity, and language preferences related to this life stage. Age distribution: 35–39 (23%), 40–44 (24%), 45–49 (22%), 50–54 (14%), 55–59 (10%), 60–65 (7%). Gender: 48% male, 52% female. Geographic coverage: All major U.S. regions represented. Household income: Broad distribution from under $10,000 to $200,000+.
This story was produced by Hone Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
