The Age of Aging

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Humankind has been searching for the fountain of youth since the beginning of recorded history, and in some ways we have succeeded. Scientific advancements have increased life expectancy by fighting back diseases that once killed millions before the age of 60. But now that living into the 80s is commonplace, we face a new problem: by lengthening the period of illness at the end of our lives, we end up with an older and sicker population. To meaningfully improve the life of humans, we need to extend not just lifespan, but health span. A pioneering band of scientists now believe they have the knowledge to identify and slow the mechanisms of aging. Armed with these breakthroughs, they are working to change the way we treat the diseases of aging, as well as the way we think of longevity. This requires a sea change in the hearts and minds of not only the medical community, but also politicians and policy makers.