Lifespan vs. Healthspan

Lifespan vs. Healthspan

  • Submitted By: daddahamsca
  • Date Submitted: 10/13/2009 12:37 PM
  • Category: Science
  • Words: 457
  • Page: 2
  • Views: 424

Public Agenda for the Alliance for Aging Research and the American Federation for Aging Research reported that the research’s focus had shifted from specific age related illnesses to searching to understand aging in all of its aspect as a biological process, “The Science of Aging Gracefully” . This new way of thinking opened the doors wide to extend the healthspan instead of just the lifespan. The president of Public Agenda Ruth Wooden stated “The change in thinking is really what leapt at me”. The goal behind all this is to expand the productivity of elders.
To study this field, scientists defined three main elements that are fuelling the progress in this field: genetics studies, new technology development, and knowledge integration from multi fields. Understanding the basic mechanism of aging (development) will help understand major diseases (cancer for example), heart disease, Alzheimer’s diseases and other neurodegenerative diseases develop. The executive director of the American Federation for Aging Research, Stephanie Lederman was quoted saying: “Understanding the aging process will help us understand how major geriatric diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions develop”.
According to Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research, the study had also highlighted the promise of aging research and the need for the public to understand the importance of this research.
Funding and support though will represent a very big challenge. Currently the funding system is focusing on specific disease categories and this may prevent or slow the scientists from achieving what they envisioned. “We need to accelerate support for aging research in order to achieve longer, healthier lives for more Americans”, stated Daniel Perry. Despite Bureaucratic obstacles, ethical concerns related to stem cells and other moral issues, and conflicting commercial interests, many scientists still believe in a...

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