Ebook: Longevity and Quality of Life: Opportunities and Challenges

Nations around the world are experiencing a spectacular increase in longevity. Society as a whole is being challenged by issues arising from this revolution in longevity. Although the specter of the loneliness and existential suffering of older citizens is such that some people under the age of 65 find it difficult to conceive of a long-term future, persons over 85 have proven that aging does not necessarily preclude a healthy and productive life. Extraordinary progress in both curative and preventive medicine justifies optimism about the quality of life and state of well-being that can be enjoyed even in great old age. We should look to professionals in diverse fields to develop creative solutions to the inevitable issues that will arise with aging. Governments must prepare for the future health of their citizens by making long-term investments to educate all sectors of society in the value of good nutrition, exercise, and lifestyles that enhance well-being throughout life. Also, governments should realize that the main cause of health care expenditure is serious illness which occurs in persons of all ages, and not predominantly in older people. Early detection can help save lives, as well.
Health and longevity of life will ultimately end as a political issue. What is needed is long-term government investments necessary for a viable health policy. The question arises: will world leaders be able to commit to such a policy? Two major socioeconomic phenomena may have a regulating effect on this issue. The first is the emergence of pressure groups that have come into being in response to a particular health issue, such as AIDS. The second is the emergence of ethics committees in developed nations that deal solely with health issues.

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Nations around the world are experiencing a spectacular increase in longevity. Society as a whole is being challenged by issues arising from this revolution in longevity. Although the specter of the loneliness and existential suffering of older citizens is such that some people under the age of 65 find it difficult to conceive of a long-term future, persons over 85 have proven that aging does not necessarily preclude a healthy and productive life. Extraordinary progress in both curative and preventive medicine justifies optimism about the quality of life and state of well-being that can be enjoyed even in great old age. We should look to professionals in diverse fields to develop creative solutions to the inevitable issues that will arise with aging. Governments must prepare for the future health of their citizens by making long-term investments to educate all sectors of society in the value of good nutrition, exercise, and lifestyles that enhance well-being throughout life. Also, governments should realize that the main cause of health care expenditure is serious illness which occurs in persons of all ages, and not predominantly in older people. Early detection can help save lives, as well.
Health and longevity of life will ultimately end as a political issue. What is needed is long-term government investments necessary for a viable health policy. The question arises: will world leaders be able to commit to such a policy? Two major socioeconomic phenomena may have a regulating effect on this issue. The first is the emergence of pressure groups that have come into being in response to a particular health issue, such as AIDS. The second is the emergence of ethics committees in developed nations that deal solely with health issues.

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Nations around the world are experiencing a spectacular increase in longevity. Society as a whole is being challenged by issues arising from this revolution in longevity. Although the specter of the loneliness and existential suffering of older citizens is such that some people under the age of 65 find it difficult to conceive of a long-term future, persons over 85 have proven that aging does not necessarily preclude a healthy and productive life. Extraordinary progress in both curative and preventive medicine justifies optimism about the quality of life and state of well-being that can be enjoyed even in great old age. We should look to professionals in diverse fields to develop creative solutions to the inevitable issues that will arise with aging. Governments must prepare for the future health of their citizens by making long-term investments to educate all sectors of society in the value of good nutrition, exercise, and lifestyles that enhance well-being throughout life. Also, governments should realize that the main cause of health care expenditure is serious illness which occurs in persons of all ages, and not predominantly in older people. Early detection can help save lives, as well.
Health and longevity of life will ultimately end as a political issue. What is needed is long-term government investments necessary for a viable health policy. The question arises: will world leaders be able to commit to such a policy? Two major socioeconomic phenomena may have a regulating effect on this issue. The first is the emergence of pressure groups that have come into being in response to a particular health issue, such as AIDS. The second is the emergence of ethics committees in developed nations that deal solely with health issues.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
A Malthusian Revolution....Pages 1-4
A Global Approach....Pages 5-6
Longevity and Women’s Health....Pages 7-11
Opening Remarks....Pages 13-15
Worldwide Revolution in Longevity and Quality of Life....Pages 17-18
The Revolution in Longevity....Pages 19-23
Longevity Around the World....Pages 25-36
Longevity as an Artifact of Civilization....Pages 37-46
Can We Afford Longevity?....Pages 47-59
The Biology of Aging and Longevity....Pages 61-67
Quality of Life and Disorders of Longevity....Pages 69-75
Understanding the Biological Determinants of Longevity: New Opportunities and Challenges....Pages 77-81
Specific Social Responses to Age-Related Dysfunction....Pages 83-88
In Year 2000: Aging, the Forgotten Revolution Will Dhea Help Us?....Pages 89-101
Can We Afford Longevity?....Pages 47-59
Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Nutritional Interventions in the Disorders of Longevity....Pages 103-105
Nutritional Intervention to Help Prevent and Cure Longevity Disorders....Pages 107-119
Gerontechnological Interventions and the Health and Quality of Life of Older People....Pages 121-129
Importance of Health in the Elderly: A Challenge to Biomedical Research & Development and to Society....Pages 131-138
Ethics and Entrances....Pages 139-147
Dignity, Well-Being and Quality of Life....Pages 149-153
Health, Longevity and Quality of Life....Pages 155-159
Longevity, Aging and the Demand of Primary Care....Pages 161-169
Health Inequalities Persist into Old Age: Results from the Longitudinal Study....Pages 171-180
Gentle Closure....Pages 181-186
Introduction....Pages 187-188
The Age Revolution: Benefits and Concerns....Pages 189-195
Are We Moving Toward a War Between the Generations?....Pages 197-207
A Remarkable Lack of Intergenerational Conflict: How Should Government Spending Be Divided Between Young and Old....Pages 209-217
Some African Vignettes....Pages 219-223
Coping with Old Age in Africa....Pages 225-233
Women in the Longevity Revolution....Pages 235-238
How Seven European Countries Have Anticipated the Consequence of Population Aging in the Healthcare Sector: a Survey of Ernst & Young....Pages 239-243
Responsibilities of the Individual and Society: Political Responsibilities in the Revolution in Longevity....Pages 245-255
Maintaining Prosperity in an Aging Society....Pages 257-262
The Organization and Financing of Social Protection....Pages 263-267
Literature and Medicine: Garcia Marquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera....Pages 269-275
Ethics and Longevity....Pages 277-281
Longevity and Quality of Life....Pages 283-285
Synthesis....Pages 287-289
Back Matter....Pages 291-321

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Nations around the world are experiencing a spectacular increase in longevity. Society as a whole is being challenged by issues arising from this revolution in longevity. Although the specter of the loneliness and existential suffering of older citizens is such that some people under the age of 65 find it difficult to conceive of a long-term future, persons over 85 have proven that aging does not necessarily preclude a healthy and productive life. Extraordinary progress in both curative and preventive medicine justifies optimism about the quality of life and state of well-being that can be enjoyed even in great old age. We should look to professionals in diverse fields to develop creative solutions to the inevitable issues that will arise with aging. Governments must prepare for the future health of their citizens by making long-term investments to educate all sectors of society in the value of good nutrition, exercise, and lifestyles that enhance well-being throughout life. Also, governments should realize that the main cause of health care expenditure is serious illness which occurs in persons of all ages, and not predominantly in older people. Early detection can help save lives, as well.
Health and longevity of life will ultimately end as a political issue. What is needed is long-term government investments necessary for a viable health policy. The question arises: will world leaders be able to commit to such a policy? Two major socioeconomic phenomena may have a regulating effect on this issue. The first is the emergence of pressure groups that have come into being in response to a particular health issue, such as AIDS. The second is the emergence of ethics committees in developed nations that deal solely with health issues.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
A Malthusian Revolution....Pages 1-4
A Global Approach....Pages 5-6
Longevity and Women’s Health....Pages 7-11
Opening Remarks....Pages 13-15
Worldwide Revolution in Longevity and Quality of Life....Pages 17-18
The Revolution in Longevity....Pages 19-23
Longevity Around the World....Pages 25-36
Longevity as an Artifact of Civilization....Pages 37-46
Can We Afford Longevity?....Pages 47-59
The Biology of Aging and Longevity....Pages 61-67
Quality of Life and Disorders of Longevity....Pages 69-75
Understanding the Biological Determinants of Longevity: New Opportunities and Challenges....Pages 77-81
Specific Social Responses to Age-Related Dysfunction....Pages 83-88
In Year 2000: Aging, the Forgotten Revolution Will Dhea Help Us?....Pages 89-101
Can We Afford Longevity?....Pages 47-59
Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Nutritional Interventions in the Disorders of Longevity....Pages 103-105
Nutritional Intervention to Help Prevent and Cure Longevity Disorders....Pages 107-119
Gerontechnological Interventions and the Health and Quality of Life of Older People....Pages 121-129
Importance of Health in the Elderly: A Challenge to Biomedical Research & Development and to Society....Pages 131-138
Ethics and Entrances....Pages 139-147
Dignity, Well-Being and Quality of Life....Pages 149-153
Health, Longevity and Quality of Life....Pages 155-159
Longevity, Aging and the Demand of Primary Care....Pages 161-169
Health Inequalities Persist into Old Age: Results from the Longitudinal Study....Pages 171-180
Gentle Closure....Pages 181-186
Introduction....Pages 187-188
The Age Revolution: Benefits and Concerns....Pages 189-195
Are We Moving Toward a War Between the Generations?....Pages 197-207
A Remarkable Lack of Intergenerational Conflict: How Should Government Spending Be Divided Between Young and Old....Pages 209-217
Some African Vignettes....Pages 219-223
Coping with Old Age in Africa....Pages 225-233
Women in the Longevity Revolution....Pages 235-238
How Seven European Countries Have Anticipated the Consequence of Population Aging in the Healthcare Sector: a Survey of Ernst & Young....Pages 239-243
Responsibilities of the Individual and Society: Political Responsibilities in the Revolution in Longevity....Pages 245-255
Maintaining Prosperity in an Aging Society....Pages 257-262
The Organization and Financing of Social Protection....Pages 263-267
Literature and Medicine: Garcia Marquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera....Pages 269-275
Ethics and Longevity....Pages 277-281
Longevity and Quality of Life....Pages 283-285
Synthesis....Pages 287-289
Back Matter....Pages 291-321
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