“With adequate aging research support, we could be in reach of a breakthrough similar to those in public health in the 19th century and medicine in the 20th.”
Finding a way to slow the biological processes of aging will do more to extend the period of healthy life in humans than attacking individual diseases alone, according to some of the nation’s top gerontologists writing in the latest issue ofPublic Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR), titled “The Longevity Dividend: Geroscience Meets Geropolitics.” The authors showcase work in the emerging interdisciplinary field of geroscience, which is based on the knowledge that aging itself is the major risk factor for most chronic diseases prevalent in the older population.
The new PP&AR, published by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), will be released during a November 22 press briefing at GSA’s 66th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans. Both the issue and the briefing were developed in partnership with the American Federation for Aging Research.
“In recent years, researchers studying the biological underpinnings of the aging process have made impressive progress in understanding the genetics, biology, and physiology of aging,” said GSA Executive Director and CEO James Appleby, RPh, MPH. “With adequate research support, we could be in reach of a breakthrough similar to those in public health in the 19th century and medicine in the 20th.”
The PP&AR contains seven articles that discuss the contemporary pursuit of scientific means to extend the period of healthy life by slowing aging in people — known as the Longevity Dividend Initiative — and some of the obstacles that stand in the way of what many consider to be one of the most exciting breakthroughs in the history of science and public health.
“In this new issue, we are proud to spotlight the pioneering work of high-profile researchers who add visibility to the value of geroscience in the eyes of both the scientific community and the general public,” said AFAR Executive Director Stephanie Lederman, EdM.
As author Gordon J. Lithgow, PhD, points out, many childhood diseases were brought under control by antibiotics and vaccines once scientists understood they essentially had a single cause: microbes. If the diseases of late life also have a single cause (aging itself), then researchers should be able to develop classes of therapeutics by targeting aging mechanisms in a way similar to targeting microbial infection.
Yet PP&AR Editor Robert B. Hudson, PhD, explains that scientists may face difficulty in convincing skeptics — among the biomedical community, public and private funders of research, and the general public — that attacking aging is a viable and more efficient approach to reducing the risk of all fatal and disabling diseases and improving well-being across the life cycle.
Author S. Jay Olshansky, PhD, additionally emphasizes that the Longevity Dividend Initiative is not focused on delaying aging at the expense of an extended period of infirmity at the end of life. He writes that “although people who benefit from advances in aging science will probably live longer, the extension of healthy life is the primary goal. In addition, reductions in the infirmities of old age and increased economic value to individuals and societies would accrue from the extension of healthy life.”
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Geroscience
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Geroscience” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Geroscience
- Announcing OneSkin as Tier 5 Sponsor of ARDD 2024on May 6, 2024 at 8:27 am
“The upcoming 5th Longevity Medicine and XPRIZE Healthspan Team Summit at ARDD, marks a significant milestone in the integration of cutting-edge geroscience and AI into clinical practice, with a focus ...
- High blood pressure drug called 'rilmenidine' dramatically slows aging in animalson May 1, 2024 at 2:41 pm
A drug used for high blood pressure, known as rilmenidine, may also be effective in slowing the aging process.
- Behavioral therapy against aging: Researchers study the effect of therapies on older dogson April 30, 2024 at 1:10 am
It is well known that getting plenty of exercise and mental training are important for a long and healthy life. But which is more effective? Do the tasks develop abilities that go beyond them?
- Are dogs as intelligent as humans? Scientists found a new linkon April 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Are dogs as smart as people? It’s an interesting question, and in some ways, our canine companions have a type of intelligence similar to humans according to a new study published in the journal ...
- Science is closing in on the frailties of old ageon April 26, 2024 at 6:00 am
Research is finding way to extend animal lifespans but regulators are still wary of treating ageing as a disease ...
- Announcing the second cohort of the Hevolution/AFAR new investigator awardees in aging biology and geroscience researchon April 23, 2024 at 7:04 am
Hevolution Foundaton and the American Federation for Aging Research announce the 2nd cohort of the Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research. New York ...
- Geroscience luminary, Dr. Nir Barzilai, appointed President of the Academy for Health and Lifespan Researchon April 22, 2024 at 6:28 am
Co-founder and board member at the AHLR, Barzilai has been elected to lead by fellow members of the Academy, all of whom are geroscience experts with distinguished leadership roles in the field.
- Accelerated aging may be a cause of increased cancers in people under 55on April 16, 2024 at 7:13 am
Kirkland heads the Translational Geroscience Network, a research collaboration with a focus on fundamental mechanisms of aging and potential clinical interventions to prevent, delay or treat age ...
- Geroscience: the science related to agingon April 13, 2024 at 8:02 pm
Dr Daniel Belsky, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, New York (my Alma Mater), has coined the term ‘geroscience’, meaning geriatric, or related to age. Here, he has devised a novel ...
- Eat well, live longer: A dash of protein could add years to your lifeon December 20, 2023 at 2:28 pm
A study published in the journal GeroScience attempts to solve this puzzle. Led by Professor Yoshitaka Kondo from Waseda University, a research team delved into the dietary protein quantity required ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Aging research
[google_news title=”” keyword=”aging research” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Aging research
- When Does It Become Unsafe For Your Aging Parent To Live Alone?on May 8, 2024 at 3:15 pm
According to the Pew Research Center, this number is expected to increase as Boomers age. What does this mean for families? It can mean that you need to pay closer attention to how your aging parents ...
- Embracing Aging: Addressing Women’s Fears and Changing Narrativeson May 8, 2024 at 3:38 am
Beyond how society and other people may perceive aging, women may also worry about health issues that can come with getting older. Research shows that age-related illnesses and declining physical ...
- Exploring associations between NMR-measured biomarkers and accelerated aging in cardiac catheterization patientson May 7, 2024 at 9:52 pm
A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 8, entitled, "Associations among NMR-measured ...
- Coral Sanfeliu, aging researcher: ‘Sitting eight hours a day affects brain connections’on May 7, 2024 at 10:52 am
The scientist has just published a book on the positive effects of exercise on brain health and the genetic mechanisms that are activated in response to physical activity ...
- Anti Aging Market To Reach USD 274.3 Billion By 2032, Says DataHorizzon Researchon May 7, 2024 at 2:00 am
The anti aging market size was valued at USD 178.8 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a market size of USD 274.3 Billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 4.9%.Fort Collins, Colorado, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE ...
- Association of inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers and accelerated aging in cardiac catheterization patientson May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
A new research paper was published in Aging, entitled, “Associations among NMR-measured inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers and accelerated aging in cardiac catheterization patients.” ...
- Longevity Biotech, Timeline, Leads the Way in Healthy Aging Research with Groundbreaking Clinical Studieson May 6, 2024 at 5:38 am
Timeline®, a pioneering Swiss consumer biotech company at the forefront of longevity research, is proud to announce the successful completion of its landmark immune aging clinical study, MitoImmune, ...
- Researchers unveil mechanism enhancing cellular fitness against aging and neurodegenerationon May 6, 2024 at 1:29 am
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discover a mechanism to enhance the fitness of cells against aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This finding will pave the way for novel therapeutic ...
- Does hydrogen water really boost your health? Perhaps, but research is limitedon May 6, 2024 at 12:01 am
Proponents say the drink reduces inflammation, slows the aging process and increases energy. A Jefferson Health dietitian looks at the science behind these claims.
- Announcing Aging as Tier 5 Sponsor of ARDD 2024on May 5, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The University of Copenhagen is excited to announce Aging as a Tier 5 Sponsor of the 11th Aging Research & Drug Discovery Meeting, the world's largest conference on aging research in the ...