Aging, Death, and Human Longevity

Aging, Death, and Human Longevity

Author: Christine Overall

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2003-02-04

Total Pages: 277

ISBN-13: 0520232984

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Annotation Life expectancy increasing dramatically for both social and scientific reasons. This book explores the arguments for and against increasing the length of human life and proposes a progressive social policy for responding to a longer-lived population.


Human Longevity, Individual Life Duration, and the Growth of the Oldest-Old Population

Human Longevity, Individual Life Duration, and the Growth of the Oldest-Old Population

Author: Jean-Marie Robine

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2007-03-21

Total Pages: 443

ISBN-13: 1402048483

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Old-age survival has considerably improved in the second half of the twentieth century. Why has such a substantial extension of human lifespan occurred? How long can we live? In this book, these fundamental questions are explored by experts from diverse fields. They report on recent cutting-edge studies about essential issues of human longevity and social factors of long survival in old age.


Human Longevity: the Major Determining Factors

Human Longevity: the Major Determining Factors

Author: Joseph A. Knight M.D.

Publisher: Author House

Published: 2010-12-09

Total Pages: 554

ISBN-13: 1452067228

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Two thousand years ago, the average life expectancy from birth to death of a Roman citizen, an individual better off than most people at that time, was about 22 years (wars, infectious diseases, trauma, etc.). This progressively increased to about 47 years in the U.S. and most European countries by 1900. Today, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78 years (women about five years more than men). However, unless the obesity pandemic is reversed and lifestyles improved, the average life expectancy will likely decrease significantly. conversely, if our lifestyles improve, the average life expectancy could reach 85 or more years. Growing older does not necessarily mean growing sicker. Thus, "don't just add years to your life, add life to your years" (Hans Selve). Indeed, of the 15 major causes of death in the U.S., 65-70% are lifestyle-related. In this book, the following documented topics that are associated with diseases and mortality are discussed in detail: theories of aging; diseases and mortality associated with obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition; psychological stress (anxiety, depression); addiction (alcohol, tobacco, drugs); violence (suicide, homicide); food-borne and infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, parasitic); and various other conditions (air pollution, asbestosis, trace metals).


Aging and Human Longevity

Aging and Human Longevity

Author: M.-F. Schulz-Aellen

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 291

ISBN-13: 1461220068

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The proportion of elderly people continues to increase in the western world-nearly a quarter of the population will be over 65 years by the year 2050. Since aging is accompanied by an increase in diseases and by a deterioration in well-being, finding solutions to these social, medical and psychological problems is necessarily a major goal for society. Scientists and medical practitioners are therefore faced with the urgent task of increasing basic knowledge of the biological processes that cause aging. More resources must be put into this research in order to achieve better understanding of the cellular mechanisms that underlie the differences in life span between species and to answer the difficult questions of why some individuals age more quickly than others, and why some develop liver problems, some have heart problems, and others brain problems. The results of such a wide program of research will provide important information about the causes of many life-threatening and/ or debilitating diseases of old age; it will help find ways to prevent some of the ailments that result from aging, and it may well lead to discoveries enabling the prolongation of human life.


Human Longevity

Human Longevity

Author: David W. E. Smith

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13:

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This absorbing, balanced account of human longevity draws together information from the fields of medicine, biology, demography, epidemiology, gerontology, and sociology. It describes the history and present status of human longevity and deals in logical sequence with the questions this subject raises. The book illustrates how life expectancy has increased in most countries due, in part, to changing causes of death. It examines the biological determinants of longevity and analyzes social and behavioral factors that may reduce longevity. The book covers the reasons why women live longer than men. It asks why the maximum human life span is nearly twice that of any other warm-blooded animal and much longer than required for reproductive success, and it discusses factors that were involved in the evolution of longevity. It presents predictable increases in human life expectancy and explores the possibility that the maximum human life expectancy may become even longer. Accessible, comprehensive, and original, this book provides a multidisciplinary synthesis of ideas and conclusions about human longevity. It will have wide appeal to professionals in the many areas concerned with longevity as well as lay readers.


Life Unlimited

Life Unlimited

Author: Edward Franco

Publisher: iUniverse

Published: 2011-11-23

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13: 9781450260183

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Is it possible that the death of our physical bodies was never part of a divine plan? Is it possible that the key to unlocking our immortality lies not so much in the realm of science as it does in our own hearts and minds? In Life Unlimited, author Edward Franco examines the attitudes and beliefs surrounding aging, death, and physical immortality. An interactive exploration of self, Life Unlimited raises questions that may seem blasphemous to some, but which may be necessary for awakening our true potential. This guide explores how you can accomplish the following: Recognize the powerful value of the mind/body connection Enhance well-being through regular spiritual practices Realize the impact of self-concept on aging, health, and wellness Learn to say no to cultural conditioning and stereotypes around aging Understand how our egos can undermine the lofty intentions of our higher spiritual selves Celebrate the gifts of adulthood and maturity Life Unlimited considers the doubts, fears, and perplexities humans experience in various life situations and illustrates how to ?nd new understanding and guidance. It provides a unique perspective on the subject of aging and longevity.


Exceptional Longevity

Exceptional Longevity

Author: Bernard Jeune

Publisher:

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13:

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States that the number of genuine long-livers is exploding and a substantial proportion of new-borns in developed countries may survive to celebrate their 100th birthday. This book examines the storied realms of exceptional longevity.


International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages

International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2011-02-27

Total Pages: 428

ISBN-13: 0309157331

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In 1950 men and women in the United States had a combined life expectancy of 68.9 years, the 12th highest life expectancy at birth in the world. Today, life expectancy is up to 79.2 years, yet the country is now 28th on the list, behind the United Kingdom, Korea, Canada, and France, among others. The United States does have higher rates of infant mortality and violent deaths than in other developed countries, but these factors do not fully account for the country's relatively poor ranking in life expectancy. International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages: Dimensions and Sources examines patterns in international differences in life expectancy above age 50 and assesses the evidence and arguments that have been advanced to explain the poor position of the United States relative to other countries. The papers in this deeply researched volume identify gaps in measurement, data, theory, and research design and pinpoint areas for future high-priority research in this area. In addition to examining the differences in mortality around the world, the papers in International Differences in Mortality at Older Ages look at health factors and life-style choices commonly believed to contribute to the observed international differences in life expectancy. They also identify strategic opportunities for health-related interventions. This book offers a wide variety of disciplinary and scholarly perspectives to the study of mortality, and it offers in-depth analyses that can serve health professionals, policy makers, statisticians, and researchers.