Knowledge and interest in healthy longevity medicine among medical and allied health students

Abstract Background Healthy Longevity Medicine (HLM) is an emerging interdisciplinary field focused on optimizing health across the lifespan. While awareness of HLM is increasing, little is known about medical (MD) and allied health (AH) students’ knowledge and interest in engaging professionally in this area. Our objective was to explore the level of knowledge of longevity-related concepts and interest in working in the field of HLM among Hungarian MD and AH students of Semmelweis University. Methods The Hungarian adaptation of the global HELO survey (in collaboration with the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity) was conducted among MD and AH students. Items focused on basic demographics, health behavior (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity), knowledge of healthspan and HLM, and interest in working in HLM. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and mutually adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess associations. Results All together 1561 students (AHS 53.2%; females 79.2%; median age: 22 years [IQR: 20-24]) completed the survey (Response rate: 25.6%). The definition of healthspan was known by 76.5% of the participants, and 43.8% knew what HLM is. Nearly half (46.6%) of students expressed their interest in working in the field, and 22.5% explicitly refused it. Knowledge of healthspan and HLM was independent of own health behavior. AH students (OR: 2.58 [95%CI: 1.92-3.47]), females (1.60 [1.13-2.27]), being physically more active (1.32 [1.01-1.74]), past smokers (1.88 [1.04-3.39]), and those taking supplements (1.38 [1.05-1.82]) were more likely to be interested in working in HLM. Conclusions Knowledge of key longevity-related concepts was moderate, highlighting the need to integrate HLM into the medical and health sciences curricula. Motivation to work in HLM may be linked to personal health behavior, emphasizing the importance of university-wide health promotion. Key messages • The level of interest in HLM among students is satisfactory but knowledge should be improved to integrate HLM into future healthcare systems. • Improving the lifestyle of students may shape future professionals’ openness to working in HLM.