Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap

Abstract Life expectancy has increased by three decades since the mid-twentieth century. Parallel healthspan expansion has however not followed, largely impeded by the pandemic of chronic diseases afflicting a growing older population. The lag in quality of life is a recognized challenge that calls...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Armin Garmany, Satsuki Yamada, Andre Terzic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-09-01
Series:npj Regenerative Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-021-00169-5
Description
Summary:Abstract Life expectancy has increased by three decades since the mid-twentieth century. Parallel healthspan expansion has however not followed, largely impeded by the pandemic of chronic diseases afflicting a growing older population. The lag in quality of life is a recognized challenge that calls for prioritization of disease-free longevity. Contemporary communal, clinical and research trends aspiring to extend the health horizon are here outlined in the context of an evolving epidemiology. A shared action integrating public and societal endeavors with emerging interventions that target age-related multimorbidity and frailty is needed. A multidimensional buildout of a curative perspective, boosted by modern anti-senescent and regenerative technology with augmented decision making, would require dedicated resources and cost-effective validation to responsibly bridge the healthspan-lifespan gap for a future of equitable global wellbeing.
ISSN:2057-3995