Research of healthy life expectancy (HLE) is needed in an aging society and by the Healthy China Initiative. However, China has not developed the HLE policy goal nor published HLE values. Therefore, it is essential to construct the HLE indicator system to guide HLE estimation and research. Based on the definition of health from the WHO and the concepts from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, One Health and Active Health, we systematically reviewed the existing international HLE indicators, and initially proposed a novel multi-dimensional HLE conceptual framework and indicator structure according to international function, disability and health classifications and international disease classification framework of WHO. The conceptual framework includes five dimensions-physical, mental, behavioral, social, and environmental health, and the comprehensive indicator for disability-disability index is added. Furthermore, we proposed the HLE indicator structure, including behavioral factors, physiological and pathological reasons, impairment, functional limitation, disability and death. Then we discussed the approaches, types of data, and potential data sources for such research. The results of this study would facilitate HLE research and contribute to the aging society and Healthy China Initiative.