‘Intrinsic Capacity’: The Most Important Longevity Term You’ve Never Heard of

The World Health Organization defines intrinsic capacity as the composite of all the physical and mental capabilities that enable people to function in their daily lives. Researchers and health systems are increasingly using the measure to evaluate aging outcomes instead of relying solely on chronological age or disease diagnoses. The metric includes evaluations of locomotion, cognition, nutrition, vitality, and psychological health. A 2024 study in The Lancet found that intrinsic capacity assessments predicted health outcomes more accurately than traditional age-based measures in older adults across multiple countries.

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