What is Longevity?

Today we’re more likely to speak of life expectancy than longevity. Longevity is the length of life, or the number of years lived. It’s a descriptive term rather than a scientific one. Life expectancy is the average age that people born in a given year will live. And it’s rising. 

Longevity is the length of life, or the number of years lived. It’s a descriptive term rather than a scientific one. Life expectancy is the average age that people born in a given year will live.

Many factors are involved in the lengthening of life expectancy. For one thing, children and women no longer die during childbirth, and there are fewer work-related accidents. But the most decisive factors are the introduction of hygienic and nutritional measures and infection control. Many problems can be solved just by ensuring proper nutrition, implementing vaccination programmes, and making antibiotics available.

What we need to reduce is pathological ageing; instead, achieving healthy ageing should be the aim. We want people to live long lives in the best possible state of health. Currently – and this is what consumes the most health care spending – many people have very poor quality of life for the last 4 or 5 years of their lives. Prevention programmes need to promote active and healthy ageing. While genetic and epigenetic factors play important roles, there are lifestyle decisions that affect healthspan which depend on the individual. These include choosing not to harm their health by indulging excessively in toxic substances such as alcohol, and looking after themselves properly. 

While genetic and epigenetic factors play important roles, there are lifestyle decisions that affect healthspan which depend on the individual.

It is important to keep in mind that a good diet and exercise can also help us not just to live longer but to live better. Science shows that we begin to age from the moment we are born, even if we only start noticing signs in our 30s when repair mechanisms in our cells start functioning less effectively. But what is clear is that an overweight child will have problems in later life. Some children are already diabetic, and are unlikely to reach the age of 85 or whatever the life expectancy is at the time.

Obviously, the earlier you begin to take care of yourself, the better. While it shouldn’t become an obsession, it should however be an important aspect of one’s life.

FY