As more people reach their 80s, 90s and beyond, how do we live those years well? Healthy Aging 2026, an annual day-long conference at Stanford University, will try to answer that question. This year’s theme, “Aging with Purpose, Power, and Play,” will explore how strength and purpose are central to health throughout the lifespan.
The Longevity Project, a group that fosters research and public conversation about the effects of longer lifespans, is sponsoring the project in partnership with the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Program. This year’s keynote speakers will include Louise Aronson, a writer and professor of medicine at University of California, San Francisco, who is widely known for her work on reframing how we think about aging.
Kelly and Juliet Starrett, New York Times best-selling authors and fitness influencers, will offer insights on how to stay strong and injury-free as we get older. Kerry Burnight, the author of “Joyspan,” will speak on “Joy, Play, and Longevity.” As her bio puts it, “longevity is meaningless if you don’t like your life.”
BJ Fogg, founder of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford and best-selling author of the book “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything,” will lead an interactive session on turning ideas into sustainable habits. Panels on social wellbeing, mindsets, and more will round out the day’s discussions. The event is designed for anyone wanting to learn about healthy aging options, as well as those wanting to help aging family members.
The conference will be held in person and virtually on May 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early bird pricing, before April 1, is $149 for in-person attendance at Stanford’s Li Ka Shing Center and $44 to attend via Zoom. After April 1, prices will be $179 (in-person) and $54 (Zoom). Discounts are available for Stanford affiliates. Visit the Longevity Project website to register or for more information. The full agenda for the conference is posted online.