The advancements in extending the human lifespan are steering nations toward becoming ageing societies, where the demographic of those aged 65 and over is on par with the population aged 15 and below. Experts in ageing caution that such a shift might spark opposition to funding for extending healthy lives. The apprehension lies in the fear that prioritizing older adults could burden societies, fuel age discrimination, and create societal rifts.
The United States National Academy of Medicine has taken a pioneering step to tackle this issue by launching its inaugural Grand Challenge, culminating in the publication of the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity in June 2022. This roadmap was crafted by a globally diverse, independent commission by Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH, from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, and John Eu-Li Wong from the National University of Singapore. A December 2, 2022, commentary in Nature Aging by Dr. Fried, Dr. Wong, and Victor J. Dzau, MD, president of the National Academy of Medicine, deliberates on the roadmap’s insights and propositions.
Dr Fried, also the director of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, emphasizes the critical juncture at which society stands: the choice between succumbing to pessimistic views on ageing or embracing a future characterized by healthful longevity, reduced disability, and fewer social hurdles. Given the projection that most countries will be ageing societies by 2050, the window to prepare is rapidly closing.
Dr Wong, a senior advisor at the National University Health System, points out the invaluable nature of a population’s health, highlighting how societies enriched with health are better equipped to tackle crises, including extreme weather events and pandemics. Encouraging the active participation of older individuals in society can leverage the investments made in human capital throughout their lives, thereby unlocking the social and economic potential of older adults in unprecedented ways.
Victor J. Dzau, President of the National Academy of Medicine, notes the global benefits of investing in the health and well-being of older adults. Such investments serve the individuals directly and enrich society by fostering productivity, community contribution, social and economic growth, and personal fulfilment.
The Global Roadmap offers several key insights and recommendations:
1. Longevity, if coupled with health, can turn older adults into unparalleled assets, yielding benefits across all ages—a phenomenon described as the “longevity dividend.”
2. Failing to invest in healthful longevity carries severe consequences, including the grim prospect of future generations ageing in poor health.
3. The roadmap outlines a vision (Vision 2050) for a future where individuals can enjoy long, healthy lives, older populations are valued, and people of all ages engage in meaningful activities, fostering intergenerational well-being and unity.
4. Realizing this vision requires a concerted effort from all societal sectors, led by government initiatives, to transform societal structures and policies.
5. The transition towards healthful longevity necessitates social unity and the creation of environments that cater to user needs.
6. The anticipated returns on this investment are significant, encompassing gains in human, social, and financial capital and improved well-being across generations.
Dr. Fried advocates for government collaboration with the business sector and civil society to cultivate the benefits of healthy longevity. That involves enacting policies and systems that support the employment desires of older adults, enhancing broadband access to bridge the digital divide, and promoting lifelong learning. She emphasizes the unique opportunity to foster a society that enjoys extensive social and economic advantages across all ages, cautioning against the dire consequences of neglecting to address the growing prevalence of ill health and disparities.
More information: L. P. Fried et al, A global roadmap to seize the opportunities of healthy longevity, Nature Aging. DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00332-7
Journal information: Nature Aging Provided by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
