diff --git a/apps/api/src/routes/public.test.ts b/apps/api/src/routes/public.test.ts
index 1b2dec0..771f747 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/routes/public.test.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/routes/public.test.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ describe("public routes", () => {
         timestamp: "2026-06-21T10:00:00.000Z"
       });
       expect(typeof response.body.sponsorshipEnabled).toBe("boolean");
+      expect(typeof response.body.uptimeSeconds).toBe("number");
+      expect(response.body.uptimeSeconds).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(0);
     } finally {
       vi.useRealTimers();
     }
diff --git a/apps/api/src/routes/public.ts b/apps/api/src/routes/public.ts
index c27a754..07092ba 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/routes/public.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/routes/public.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ publicRouter.get("/health", (_req, res) => {
     nodeEnv: config.NODE_ENV,
     network: config.STELLAR_NETWORK,
     sponsorshipEnabled: config.sponsorshipEnabled,
-    timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
+    timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+    uptimeSeconds: process.uptime()
   });
 });