Integrating care across the life course supports goal-aligned end-of-life care

As global populations age and lifespan increases, health systems too often conceptualize “healthy aging” and “end-of-life care” as distinct phases. Yet emerging evidence from geroscience, palliative care, and health systems science suggests that aging and dying lie on a continuum of adaptation and care. This Perspective proposes a framework that treats system-supported, goal-aligned end-of-life care as a public health outcome of integrated life-course care and argues for system redesign to introduce earlier palliative approaches, align care models across the life-course, and reduce health disparities. This article outlines key mechanisms, evidence for integration, a conceptual model, and implications.