Longevity efforts may be paying off: People are living longer, healthy lives

Research from the UK shows that people are living longer, and enjoying more years free from disabilities.

A report on the study – actually a two-phase study – credits public health measures and advances in medical technology.

The findings also provide further evidence that the longevity movement is having a positive impact.

The studies, Cognitive Function & Ageing Studies, found the average years of disability-free life expectancy rose from 1991 to 2011. Overall, men aged 65 gained 4.6 years in life expectancy and 3.7 years in disability-free time. Women gained 2.1 years in life expectancy and 2 years in disability-free time.

The results were less positive for adults suffering from cognitive impairment. Men experienced a smaller increase in disability-free time, 1.4 years, and a like increase in healthy years. Women with cognitive impairments experienced a 1.6-year increase in life expectancy, with no increase in healthy lifespan.

As an organization whose goal is to make 90 the new 50 by 2030, we see the report as evidence of progress. What is striking is that the healthspan improvement reported in the study is the result of simply doing a better job of giving people access to existing healthcare services.

The breakthrough science being developed now will make an even bigger difference in coming years.

In the past 20 years, we have seen the perception of longevity research go from it being a playground for crackpots to being mainstream science. The resources being invested in therapies to lengthen the healthy human lifespan are significant as science makes progress in finding treatments for diseases that are not treatable.

We are committed to supporting and encouraging that progress. If you’d like to help us achieve our mission, donate.