Prospective Longevity

Prospective Longevity

Author: Warren C. Sanderson

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2019-11-19

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0674975618

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From two leading experts, a revolutionary new way to think about and measure aging. Aging is a complex phenomenon. We usually think of chronological age as a benchmark, but it is actually a backward way of defining lifespan. It tells us how long we’ve lived so far, but what about the rest of our lives? In this pathbreaking book, Warren C. Sanderson and Sergei Scherbov provide a new way to measure individual and population aging. Instead of counting how many years we’ve lived, we should think about the number of years we have left, our “prospective age.” Two people who share the same chronological age probably have different prospective ages, because one will outlive the other. Combining their forward-thinking measure of our remaining years with other health metrics, Sanderson and Scherbov show how we can generate better demographic estimates, which inform better policies. Measuring prospective age helps make sense of observed patterns of survival, reorients understanding of health in old age, and clarifies the burden of old-age dependency. The metric also brings valuable data to debates over equitable intergenerational pensions. Sanderson and Scherbov’s pioneering model has already been adopted by the United Nations. Prospective Longevity offers us all an opportunity to rethink aging, so that we can make the right choices for our societal and economic health.


Prospective Longevity

Prospective Longevity

Author: Warren C. Sanderson

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2019-11-19

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0674243323

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From two leading experts, a revolutionary new way to think about and measure aging. Aging is a complex phenomenon. We usually think of chronological age as a benchmark, but it is actually a backward way of defining lifespan. It tells us how long we’ve lived so far, but what about the rest of our lives? In this pathbreaking book, Warren C. Sanderson and Sergei Scherbov provide a new way to measure individual and population aging. Instead of counting how many years we’ve lived, we should think about the number of years we have left, our “prospective age.” Two people who share the same chronological age probably have different prospective ages, because one will outlive the other. Combining their forward-thinking measure of our remaining years with other health metrics, Sanderson and Scherbov show how we can generate better demographic estimates, which inform better policies. Measuring prospective age helps make sense of observed patterns of survival, reorients understanding of health in old age, and clarifies the burden of old-age dependency. The metric also brings valuable data to debates over equitable intergenerational pensions. Sanderson and Scherbov’s pioneering model has already been adopted by the United Nations. Prospective Longevity offers us all an opportunity to rethink aging, so that we can make the right choices for our societal and economic health.


Longevity Rules

Longevity Rules

Author: Stuart Greenbaum

Publisher:

Published: 2010-04-01

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 9780615330457

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Thirty-four experts, including medical doctors, scientists, economists, engineers, demographers, philosophers and journalists provide diverse and often controversial perspectives on how to ensure that longevity -- the extension of our life expectancy -- becomes more rewarding than burdensome for individuals and society.


Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries

Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2011-06-27

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 0309217105

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During the last 25 years, life expectancy at age 50 in the United States has been rising, but at a slower pace than in many other high-income countries, such as Japan and Australia. This difference is particularly notable given that the United States spends more on health care than any other nation. Concerned about this divergence, the National Institute on Aging asked the National Research Council to examine evidence on its possible causes. According to Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries, the nation's history of heavy smoking is a major reason why lifespans in the United States fall short of those in many other high-income nations. Evidence suggests that current obesity levels play a substantial part as well. The book reports that lack of universal access to health care in the U.S. also has increased mortality and reduced life expectancy, though this is a less significant factor for those over age 65 because of Medicare access. For the main causes of death at older ages-cancer and cardiovascular disease-available indicators do not suggest that the U.S. health care system is failing to prevent deaths that would be averted elsewhere. In fact, cancer detection and survival appear to be better in the U.S. than in most other high-income nations, and survival rates following a heart attack also are favorable. Explaining Divergent Levels of Longevity in High-Income Countries identifies many gaps in research. For instance, while lung cancer deaths are a reliable marker of the damage from smoking, no clear-cut marker exists for obesity, physical inactivity, social integration, or other risks considered in this book. Moreover, evaluation of these risk factors is based on observational studies, which-unlike randomized controlled trials-are subject to many biases.


The Longevity Seekers

The Longevity Seekers

Author: Ted Anton

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2013-05

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 0226020932

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People have searched for the fountain of youth everywhere from Bimini to St. Augustine. But for a steadfast group of scientists, the secret to a long life lies elsewhere: in the lowly lab worm. By suppressing the function of just a few key genes, these scientists were able to lengthen worms’ lifespans up to tenfold, while also controlling the onset of many of the physical problems that beset old age. As the global population ages, the potential impact of this discovery on society is vast—as is the potential for profit. With The Longevity Seekers, science writer Ted Anton takes readers inside this tale that began with worms and branched out to snare innovative minds from California to Crete, investments from big biotech, and endorsements from TV personalities like Oprah and Dr. Oz. Some of the research was remarkable, such as the discovery of an enzyme in humans that stops cells from aging. And some, like an oft-cited study touting the compound resveratrol, found in red wine—proved highly controversial, igniting a science war over truth, credit, and potential profit. As the pace of discovery accelerated, so too did powerful personal rivalries and public fascination, driven by the hope that a longer, healthier life was right around the corner. Anton has spent years interviewing and working with the scientists at the frontier of longevity science, and this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the state-of-the-art research and the impact it might have on global public health, society, and even our friends and family. With spectacular science and an unforgettable cast of characters, The Longevity Seekers has all the elements of a great story and sheds light on discoveriesthat could fundamentally reshape human life.


A Long Bright Future

A Long Bright Future

Author: Laura Carstensen

Publisher: PublicAffairs

Published: 2011-09-27

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 161039058X

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The twentieth century bequeathed us a fabulous gift: thirty more years of life on average. Supersized life spans are going to radically alter society, and present an unprecedented opportunity to change our approach not only to old age but to all of life's stages. The ramifications are just beginning to dawn on us.... yet in the meantime, we keep thinking about, and planning for, life as it used to be lived. In A Long Bright Future, longevity and aging expert Laura Carstensen guides us into the new possibilities offered by a longer life. She debunks the myths and misconceptions about aging that stop us from adequately preparing for the future both as individuals and as a society: that growing older is associated with loneliness and unhappiness, and that only the genetically blessed live well and long. She then focuses on other important components of a long life, including finances, health, social relationships, Medicare and Social Security, challenging our preconceived notions of "old age" every step of the way.


Developments in Demographic Forecasting

Developments in Demographic Forecasting

Author: Stefano Mazzuco

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-09-28

Total Pages: 261

ISBN-13: 3030424723

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This open access book presents new developments in the field of demographic forecasting, covering both mortality, fertility and migration. For each component emerging methods to forecast them are presented. Moreover, instruments for forecasting evaluation are provided. Bayesian models, nonparametric models, cohort approaches, elicitation of expert opinion, evaluation of probabilistic forecasts are some of the topics covered in the book. In addition, the book is accompanied by complementary material on the web allowing readers to practice with some of the ideas exposed in the book. Readers are encouraged to use this material to apply the new methods to their own data. The book is an important read for demographers, applied statisticians, as well as other social scientists interested or active in the field of population forecasting. Professional population forecasters in statistical agencies will find useful new ideas in various chapters.


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.


Biomarkers of Human Longevity

Biomarkers of Human Longevity

Author: Dmitry Kaminskiy

Publisher:

Published: 2021-10-19

Total Pages: 412

ISBN-13: 9781916391772

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There is perhaps no other single technology or industry subsector, with the exception of AI, that has more potential to accelerate the realization of real-world impacts in Longevity across the full scope of its sectors and domains - industry, policy, investment, entrepreneurship, policy, and governance - than Biomarkers of Human Longevity. Given the unique confluence of Biomarkers of Human Longevity's disruptive impact and accelerative potential, on the one hand, and the high degree of disharmonization in terms of what they are and how they could and should be used, on the other hand, it is clear to me that there is a pressing unmet need for the production of a dedicated book that takes Biomarkers of Longevity as its central concern and major fulcrum, identifying the true potential that this technology has to increase individual and national Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE) and Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy (QALY), optimize strategic decision-making for start-ups and corporations, de-risk investment, provide for the first time a tangible framework for company valuation, due diligence based on human validation, enable reliable forecasting clinical outcomes, serve as an effective platform for safe self-experimentation and personalized therapeutic fine-tuning, and pave the way for a much more tangible, stable and scalable Global Longevity Industry, where Longevity's socially-inclusive humanitarian impact is maximized and its potential ethical and socioeconomic concerns are neutralized. Deep Knowledge Group and its Longevity-focused subsidiaries and affiliates, including its analytical subsidiary Aging Analytics Agency, its specialized investment arm Longevity.Capital, its portfolio companies Longevity Banking Card and Longevity Financial Advisors and the international non-profit consortium Longevity.International, have prioritized the pressing need and the extreme potential of Biomarkers of Human Longevity (and integrated them in various ways into its overall scope of activities and strategic agenda) for several years now, and are expertly positioned to provide a tangible understanding of the major challenges and opportunities to be faced within this domain, and how they can be applied by individuals, institutions and even entire governments in order to achieve their maximum benefits while neutralizing potential pitfalls and issues.


Longevity, Senescence, and the Genome

Longevity, Senescence, and the Genome

Author: Caleb E. Finch

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1994-05-16

Total Pages: 948

ISBN-13: 9780226248899

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Featuring extensive references, updated for this paperback edition, Longevity, Senescence, and the Genome constitutes a landmark contribution to biomedicine and the evolutionary biology of aging. To enhance gerontology's focus on human age-related dysfunctions, Caleb E. Finch provides a comparative review of all the phyla of organisms, broadening gerontology to intersect with behavioral, developmental, evolutionary, and molecular biology. By comparing species that have different developmental and life spans, Finch proposes an original typology of senescence from rapid to gradual to negligible, and he provides the first multiphyletic calculations of mortality rate constants.