New Year, New Resolutions
How Science is Changing the Way We Think About Health
An Everyday DNA blog article
Written and Illustrated by: Sarah Sharman, PhD
It’s that time of year again. The gyms are full, the produce aisles are piled high with kale, and my social media feed is overflowing with green smoothies and ambitious goal-setting. Whether you’ve promised yourself that you’ll take the stairs more, finally run that 5K, or stick with a daily yoga routine, most resolutions share a common goal: to feel better or be healthier. But what does “being healthy” really mean? And how do we know whether our daily choices are actually moving the needle toward better health?
Let’s learn what it means to be healthy and how science is changing the way we think about and maintain health.
Rethinking Health and Wellness
For most of modern history, healthcare in the United States has followed a familiar pattern: wait for the disease to show up, then treat it. This “reactive” approach has helped us live longer, but it prioritizes fixing health problems over preventing them in the first place.
That trend shows up in the data. According to the United Health Foundation 2025 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report, Americans are living longer than ever, but often spend more of those extra years managing chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
In other words, we’ve become experts at treating disease, but not necessarily at maintaining wellness. That’s why scientists are now asking: What if we stopped waiting for symptoms? What if we used genetics and personalized data to optimize our health before we ever got sick?
What is Health, Really?
If you ask five different people to define “health,” you’ll probably get five very different answers. For decades, many of us equated health with simply “not being sick”. However, the World Health Organization offers a more complete definition, describing health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being—and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
That broader definition resonates with many of us. Health isn’t just about lab results or medical records. It’s about how we live and how we feel. It includes everything from mental health and sleep to our sense of connection and purpose.
Scientists also use two closely related terms: lifespan, which refers to the number of years we live, and healthspan, which refers to the number of years we live well. The ultimate goal isn’t just to add years to life but to add life to those years, keeping people active, independent, and sharp for as long as possible.
The Biology of Aging: Why Our Bodies Change
Understanding how to extend healthspan is one of the most exciting frontiers in science, and much of that research begins with understanding the biology of aging. Aging happens to all of us, and while we can’t stop time, we can learn what drives the changes in our bodies as we grow older.
Over time, our DNA accumulates tiny errors, our energy-producing mitochondria become less efficient, and our tissues lose some ability to repair themselves. These changes combine to make aging the number one risk factor for nearly every major chronic disease, such as heart disease, dementia, cancer, and diabetes.
Of course, genetics plays a big role. Some people inherit versions of genes that make them more vulnerable to certain conditions, while others carry variants that seem to protect them. But genes aren’t destiny. Lifestyle and environment can influence whether genetic risks develop into actual disease, a concept known as gene-environment interaction.
What Science Says About Maintaining Health
Luckily, we don’t have to wait for future therapies to make a difference. Decades of research support some simple, powerful steps:
- Eat a balanced diet. Plant-rich diets full of colorful fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide nutrients that fuel healthy cells and reduce inflammation.
- Stay active. Exercise doesn’t just strengthen muscles. It actually changes gene activity related to cell repair and mood regulation. Even modest movements, such as a brisk walk or a few minutes of stretching, can make a meaningful difference.
- Connect with others. Social bonds have biological effects, including lower stress hormones, stronger immunity, and improved heart health. Connection is beneficial for both mental and physical well-being.
Healthy habits work best when they’re consistent, and when they reflect your individual biology and environment. That’s why scientists around the world, including those at HudsonAlpha, are working to understand how genetics shapes health in a real-world context.
Health in Our Own Backyard: Why HudsonAlpha’s Work Matters for Alabama
When we zoom in from the national conversation to our own state, it becomes even clearer why this research matters. The 2025 health report also shows that Alabama continues to face significant health challenges. Our state ranks near the bottom for overall health outcomes, with higher-than-average rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Many rural areas still face barriers to specialized care, leaving families searching for answers and resources.
These numbers aren’t just data points. They represent our friends, neighbors, and families, people striving to live healthier lives in communities where resources can be scarce. That’s where HudsonAlpha’s research and outreach come in. We’re using genomics to better understand the roots of disease and to bring those discoveries home to Alabama patients.
Our rare disease diagnostic program uses advanced DNA sequencing to help families across Alabama and the Southeast uncover the genetic cause of unexplained medical conditions. For many, that genetic diagnosis ends a years‑long search for answers, guides treatment choices, and connects them with networks of support.
Meanwhile, the HOPE‑AD project is tackling one of the region’s most pressing health challenges: Alzheimer’s disease. By studying how genes, environment, and lifestyle factors contribute to brain aging, researchers here are identifying biological clues that appear before memory loss begins. That knowledge could lead to earlier detection and, eventually, prevention strategies that benefit families throughout our state.
Together, these projects show how cutting-edge science can have a profoundly human impact: one diagnosis, one discovery, one Alabama family at a time.
Looking Ahead
New Year’s resolutions come and go, but science is transforming short-term goals into long-term wellness. By understanding the biological foundations of healthspan, we can shift from treating disease to preserving health. As you work on your goals this year, remember that each small effort is part of a bigger story: one where science and community come together to help all of us live longer, healthier lives.
