UNCOMMON APPROACHES FOR UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES
WHAT WILL IT MEAN TO LIVE TWICE AS LONG AS
YOUR ANCESTORS?
In less than one century, life expectancy increased by an average of
30 years in developed regions of the world.
Quite suddenly, there are more people living longer in the world
than ever before in human history. They account for an increasingly
greater percentage of the world population.
Improved longevity is, at once, among the most remarkable
achievements in all of human history and one of our greatest
challenges.
The mission of the Stanford Center on Longevity is to ensure that
these added years serve as a gift, not a burden, to humanity.
The Stanford Center on Longevity seeks to transform the culture of aging
We are an expert on societal issues related to extended life expectancy.
We address challenges across traditional disciplines and conduct research and policy work designed to bring about profound changes in the quality of life from childhood to old age.
Mission
Leadership
Laura L. Carstensen, PhDDirector, Stanford Center on Longevity
Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy, Professor of Psychology
Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhDDeputy Director, Stanford Center on Longevity
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Faculty Steering Committee
Tom Andriacchi, Engineering
Bill Damon, Education
Alan Garber, CHP, PCOR
Larry Kramer, Law
Iris Litt, Medicine
Pamela Matson, Earth Sciences
Margaret Neale, GSB
John Shoven, SIEPR
Faculty Collaborators
Faculty Affiliates (130)
MINDMOBILITY
FINANCIAL SECURITY
“To the extent that people arrive at old age mentally sharp, physically fit and financially secure, long-lived
societies will thrive.”
GLOBAL AGINGPOLITICS, SCHOLARS & THE PUBLIC
Divisions & Programs
Divisions:
Programs:
With older adults making up a larger portion of society, health issues affecting not only the body but also mental functioning and emotional well-being are becoming of greater concern.
• Cognition and Memory• Financial and Health Decision Making• Emotional Regulation and Experience
SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work:• Estrogen Window of Opportunity for Neuro-protection• Consensus Conference on Brain Health and Brain Training• Longevity, Memory and Music
Mind
Mobility is critical for independence and quality of life. As people live longer, giving them the ability to remain independent for as long as possible becomes increasingly important.
• Joint Health and Osteoarthritis• Physical Activity • Regenerative Medicine• Built Environment
SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work:
• System Biology-Mechanical Approach Framework for Osteoarthritis• Science of Sedentary Behavior
Mobility
Improving financial security for growing numbers of long lived people is of growing concern to the United States and the world.
• Education on financial milestones• Improving financial planning• Teaching numeracy skills to young people• Financial fraud avoidance
SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work:
• Financial Fraud & the Elderly• Redefining Financial Milestones
Financial Security
Population aging in countries throughout the world presents risks and opportunities in terms of economics, sustainability and national security.
• Stimulate public discourse• Initiate research on economic and political implications
SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work:
• Population Age Shifts• New Realities of an Older America
Global Aging
Population in millions by five-year age bracket; males on left, females on right.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects 2008 Revision, Medium Variant Forecast
30Median age 40
65+
15-64
0-14
37
U.S.
158 million 318 million 370 million1950 2010 2030
Global Aging Trends
Total population by age and sex, millions
Population in millions by five-year age bracket; males on left, females on right. Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects 2008 Revision, Medium
Variant Forecast
24Median age 41
65+
15-64
0-14
34
1950 2010 2030
Total population by age and sex, millions
China
540 million 1,350 million 1,460 million
24Median age
26
65+
15-64
0-14
21
Pakistan
1950 2010 203041 million 185 million 266 million
Global Aging Trends
Politics, Scholars and the Public creates dialogue between the worlds of politics, academia and the public. Results supplement national policy conversations on health care with information and ideas that are fact-based, politically viable and publicly supported.
• Health Security Project (on health care reform)• Medicare and the Views of 65+ Americans• Healthy Aging and Communities
• “Planning to Stay” book project• Indicators of healthy communities• Integrated services
SCL Focus Areas:
Politics, Scholars& the Public
Faculty Research
Faculty Seed Grants:
• Eleven seed grants totaling $500,000 awarded in 2009• Schools include: Medicine, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, Business
Postdoctoral Fellowships:
• Eight postdoctoral fellows, each for three year terms• Departments include Bioengineering, Psychology, Medicine and Health Policy and Research, Microbiology and Immunology, Developmental Biology, Medicine, Genetics
Courses and Events
Courses:
• Undergraduate Longevity Course• First Year Seminar (new student group formed – Stanford Longevity Action Movement - SLAM)• Undergraduate Student Practicum
Events:
• “Launch” conferences – unique and targeted approaches to stimulating action-oriented research• Participation in conferences, talks, meetings
“Our challenge is to make old age not only acceptable but inviting – to make sure that our lives in this unexpected overtime will be a contribution, not a burden, either to ourselves or to those who come after us. We can craft an old age that will be intellectually stimulating, socially rewarding, productive and fun. The greatest gift we could give future generations is to say, “Here’s the way you’ll want to be old.” Even better, we can ensure that today’s nursery schoolers are the first generation to live in a society that prepares them to live long and healthy lives…” Laura L. Carstensen
Stanford Center on Longevity
Stanford Center on Longevity
By the time today’s children grow old, living to 100 will be commonplace.
To the extent that individuals arrive at old age mentally sharp, physically fit, and
financially secure, societies will thrive.
The Stanford Center on Longevity asks the questions, convenes the experts, and
conducts the research that will help all of us – young and old alike – prepare.
http://longevity.stanford.edu
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