Longevity and Quality of Life

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Introduction: Challenges and Opportunities

   1. A Malthusian Revolution

      • Claude Jasmin

      Pages 1-4

   2. A Global Approach

      • Maurizio Laccarino

      Pages 5-6

   3. Longevity and Women’s Health

      • Nafis Sadik

      Pages 7-11

   4. Opening Remarks

      • Bernard Kouchner

      Pages 13-15

   5. Worldwide Revolution in Longevity and Quality of Life

      • Alain Pompidou

      Pages 17-18

3. Global Aspects of Longevity

   1. A Worldwide Approach

      1. The Revolution in Longevity

         • Robert N. Butler

         Pages 19-23

      2. Longevity Around the World

         • Vladislav V. Bezrukov

         Pages 25-36

      3. Longevity as an Artifact of Civilization

         • James W. Vaupel

         Pages 37-46

      4. Can We Afford Longevity?

         • Robert W. Fogel

         Pages 47-59

   2. Prevention of Aging

      1. The Biology of Aging and Longevity

         • Calvin B. Harley

         Pages 61-67

      2. Quality of Life and Disorders of Longevity

         • Francoise Forette

         Pages 69-75

      3. Understanding the Biological Determinants of Longevity: New Opportunities and Challenges

         • Thomas Kirkwood

         Pages 77-81

      4. Specific Social Responses to Age-Related Dysfunction

         • Alvar Svanborg

         Pages 83-88

      5. In Year 2000: Aging, the Forgotten Revolution Will Dhea Help Us?

         • Etienne-Emile Baulieu

         Pages 89-101

   3. Industrial Responses to Aging

      1. Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Nutritional Interventions in the Disorders of Longevity

         • Hannes B. Stähelin

         Pages 103-105

      2. Nutritional Intervention to Help Prevent and Cure Longevity Disorders

         • Pierre R. Guesry

         Pages 107-119

      3. Gerontechnological Interventions and the Health and Quality of Life of Older People

         • M. Powell Lawton

         Pages 121-129

      4. Importance of Health in the Elderly: A Challenge to Biomedical Research & Development and to Society

         • D. W. Scholer

         Pages 131-138

4. Quality & Quantity of Life

   1. Longevity and Quality of Life

      1. Ethics and Entrances

         • Charles Richard Boddington Joyce

         Pages 139-147

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.

• AIDS
• ethics
• evolution
• preventive medicine
• quality of life

`In a comprehensive way the book presents the opinions of biologists, gerontologists, demographers, citizen health care professionals and politicians on longevity. The book is exciting reading which shows that our society, at the dawn of the 21st century, is on the way to adapting to the conditions and needs brought about by longevity of its population. These proceedigns are an important tool for health-care officials, economists, politicians and decision-makers in the field of social services and public welfare. Geriatricians will also profit from reading this book. They may develop a completely different approach to lognevity or life in the later days of our lives.'
Gerontology, 47:1 (2001)

Policies and ethics