INTRODUCTION
In this article I have provided an overview of the fascinating subject of "human life expectancy and longevity" and why it is probably going to increase more than you may expect. If you are over 50, this article has important information for you
This subject is vast and its implications for humanity, at both the individual and collective level, are huge. This article will set the scene for a series of articles that will explain in more detail, what is happening, why it's happening, what it will mean for you and how you can make sure you are fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available to maximise your personal longer healthier life.
THE LONGEVITY REVOLUTION
I believe we are very fortunate, as mature people in a developed nation, to be living at such an exciting time. The Longevity Revolution is upon us and it offers hope, even an expectation that we can all look forward to the possibility of a much longer healthier life than we could have even conceived of as recently as 15 years ago. This new field of study and research is being referred to as "Life Extension."
The longevity revolution is already happening in biotechnology and medical science, and is going to result in a quantum leap in our lifespan; but even more importantly in how long we will stay healthy i.e. our "healthspan".
Right now, longevity statistics tell us that average life expectancy at birth in the top 20 ranking nations is 80 years; but of that on average, the last 8 years (10%) is spent in ill health.
To extend our lifespan without improving our healthspan would be pointless, maybe even cruel, and would place even greater pressure on our social security systems and national budgets, at a time when the ever increasing population of people over 65 is already threatening to swamp them.
HUMAN LONGEVITY-THE LAST 100 YEARS
Before we look into the crystal ball and attempt to see into the future, let's briefly review the recent history of longevity and current predicted life expectancy statistics.
"Life expectancy," according to the World Health Organisation website, is "the average number of years a person can expect to live, if in the future they experience the current "age-specific" mortality rates in the population." In other words, no significant changes occur in the person's lifetime; either positive or negative.
In the last 100 years, life expectancy in Developed Nations has increased by 50% from 53. 6 years to 80.4 years. This has been due to a combination of two factors; a reduction in child mortality and older people living longer.
In his article "Broken Limits to Life Expectancy" in "Science" magazine in May 2002, Demographer James Oppen stated "For 160 years, best-performance life expectancy has steadily increased by a quarter of a year per year, an extraordinary constancy of human achievement."
The main reasons for this massive increase have been:
- Advances in food supply and nutrition,
- Vastly improved sanitation and hygiene,
- Clean drinking water,
- Technological breakthroughs,
- The advent of major new medical technologies and medicines (e.g. antibiotics),
- Better housing, including clean heating systems (i.e. replacing coal fires), and
- Increased awareness and knowledge about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
THE FUTURE-WHERE TOO FROM HERE?
Many longevity scientists believe that over the next 10 years there will be dramatic advances in biotechnology that will radically change the future prospects for longevity from which we can all potentially expect a significant increase in life expectancy. There is widespread belief that an average life expectancy of 100 years is possible in developed nations in that timeframe.
So taking action right now in all the key areas of your lifestyle will increase your chances of being around to take advantage of these imminent benefits.
My research suggests that there are 4 areas for continuing research, development and public education that must be addressed simultaneously, and with urgency if as many of us as possible are to reap the full benefits that will be available:
1. Continuing the great work being carried out by Medical institutes and public health professionals across the globe to combat these chronic degenerative diseases This work has already saved many lives and improved the lives of many others, and it needs to continue.
2. Continue to educate people; that contracting these chronic diseases as they age is not an inevitability, and that they can significantly reduce the risks of contracting them by leading a healthy lifestyle i.e. adopting a healthy anti aging diet and avoiding the unhealthy foods and ingredients that damage their health, by avoiding unhealthy addictions, by a regular exercise and fitness practice and by reducing the stress that weakens the body's immune system and invites these diseases in.
3. In his fascinating article "A Wrinkle in Time" Stuart Jay Olshansky, a Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago made the following statement:- "Scientific evidence now strongly supports the idea that it's time to invest in the future of humanity by encouraging the commensurate political will, public support, and resources required to slow aging, and to do so now, so that most people currently alive might benefit from the investment." and that "there is ample reason to be optimistic that decelerated aging can be achieved for humans."
4. As I said in the introduction, the longevity revolution is already happening in biotechnology and medical science, and is going to result in a quantum leap in our lifespans, but even more importantly, in how long we will stay healthy.
What would have been considered science fiction 20 years ago is now becoming a reality. The human genome project, completed in 2003, has opened up a multitude of amazing possibilities. The new field of "tissue engineering" is enabling medical laboratories to create replacement body parts and organs using an individual's own cells, and work already underway includes growing new organs, breast tissue, windpipes and bladders, amongst many other body parts.
CONCLUSION
Over the next 10 years, major advances in biotechnology will radically change our future prospects for longevity from which we can all potentially expect a significant increase in life expectancy. There is widespread belief that an average life expectancy of 100 years is possible in developed nations in that timeframe.
By taking action right now in all the key areas of your lifestyle, you can increase your chances of being around to take advantage of these imminent benefits and live a much longer, healthier and happier life
You can read the second article in this series about Longevity and life expectancy "Human Life Expectancy - "What Does The Longevity Revolution Mean for You and Me?"here
1. Name: David Amer
2. Links: Find out more:http://www.designyournewlife.com/
3. I created "Design Your New Life" to share my personal journey and vision with as many men as possible;and in so doing, to help them to design a better life for themselves and their families in their retirement years.
So, If you are a man over 50 years of age, and want to design a great new life for yourself and your family after you retire, CONGRATULATIONS, you have come to the right place.
My website has been designed to make it easy for you to find all the information and guidance you might need to make your later life phase fulfilling and happy, without the need to spend lots of time researching hundreds of websites; bringing together in one "easy to use" website, all the information you will need; a "one stop shop" laid out within a logical framework with a step by step approach that I will guide you through,
FAQs
What will life expectancy be in the future? ›
Life expectancy is projected to increase in all 35 countries with a probability of at least 65% for women and 85% for men.
Will lifespan increase in the future? ›The number of people living past 100 years of age is increasing. The scientific community is divided on the topic of the continually increasing maximum human life span. Statistical modeling shows that a life span of 130 years is a possibility by 2100.
What will the life expectancy be in 2050? ›The researchers forecast that by 2050 life expectancy for females will rise to 89.2-93.3 years and to 83.2-85.9 years for males. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Social Security Administration project life expectancy in 2050 of 83.4-85.3 years for females and 80.0-80.9 years for males.
What is the biggest predictor of longevity? ›- Daily movement.
- Occasional physical labour or resistance training.
- Walking & Moving with a purpose.
- Living with love.
United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100. The current life expectancy for U.S. in 2023 is 79.11 years, a 0.08% increase from 2022. The life expectancy for U.S. in 2022 was 79.05 years, a 0.08% increase from 2021. The life expectancy for U.S. in 2021 was 78.99 years, a 0.08% increase from 2020.
How far can we extend human life expectancy? ›Leading demographers claim that human lifespan is fixed at a natural limit around 122 years. However, there is no fixed limit in animals. In animals, anti-aging interventions (dietary restrictions, rapamycin, genetic manipulations) postpone age-related diseases and thus automatically extend maximum lifespan.
Can we live 200 years in future? ›These are natural changes that occur while aging. They cannot be stopped but it is possible to slow the rate of these processes. This can be done by changing one's lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc). The science of aging is not yet fully understood; therefore, it is difficult to determine an absolute limit of 200 years.
Will people live longer in 2040? ›By 2040, Americans will live longer than they do now. Barely. A health forecasting study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation found American life expectancy will reach 79.8 years by 2040, compared to 78.7 years in 2016.
Which race lives the longest? ›On average, a person living in the U.S. can expect to live to 76.1 years. Asian people have the longest average life expectancy (83.5 years) and American Indian/Alaska Natives the shortest (65.2 years).
What makes people live longer? ›' But with common sense, healthy habits such as regular exercise, a healthy weight, avoiding red meat, not smoking, and managing stress, it can be 'the older you get, the healthier you've been,'” Perls says. The key to healthy aging is to engage fully in life—mentally, physically, and socially.
Will I be able to live until 2100? ›
It might be hard to imagine, but it's true: As of today, if you are 35 years old or younger it is quite probable you will live to the see the year 2100 and witness the beginning of the 22nd century.
Why do we live longer now? ›Environmental improvements beginning in the 1900s extended the average life span dramatically with significant improvements in the availability of food and clean water, better housing and living conditions, reduced exposure to infectious diseases, and access to medical care.
What are the 10 signs of longevity? ›The 10 Symbols of Longevity ("shipjangsaengdo") is a painting depicting the 10 elements of nature that symbolize eternal youth. These symbols are: the sun, clouds, mountains, water, pine trees, turtles, deer, cranes, peaches, and the herb of eternal youth.
What three things should a person avoid once they are past 70 years old? ›Fatty foods, high sugar content, lots of alcohol and caffeine, and heavy dairy are the staples of poor nutrition after 70.
Does longevity run in families? ›Several environmental and physiological factors contribute to the aging process. However, about 40% human life expectancy is inherited among generations, many lifespan associated genes, genetic mechanisms and pathways have been demonstrated during last decades.
Why are seniors living longer? ›However, there is an expanded focus on long-term life planning, the management of resources, and preparation for the retirement years. Due to this fact, seniors have a better opportunity to enjoy stable housing, regular meals, and adequate resources for meeting their most basic needs.
Do we live longer than our ancestors? ›Global Life Expectancy Increased More Than 150 Percent Since 1770. At the turn of the 20th century, global life expectancy started steadily climbing, meaning humans are (on average) living longer, healthier lives than ever before.
What was the lifespan of humans 2000 years ago? ›Ancient Through Pre-Industrial Times
Unhygienic living conditions and little access to effective medical care meant life expectancy was likely limited to about 35 years of age. That's life expectancy at birth, a figure dramatically influenced by infant mortality—pegged at the time as high as 30%.
In 7 years, humans might be able to live indefinitely, predicts Ray Kurzweil, a futurist with a track record of accurate predictions. He believes that with the technological advances and expansions, we're witnessing today in genetics, robotics, and nanotechnology; we'll soon have nanobots running through our veins.
Will immortality be possible in our lifetime? ›If you define it as living forever and being unkillable like in a comic book or movie, then, no, it is highly unlikely. However, if you define it in terms of showing no decline in survival characteristics, no increase in disease incidence, and no increase in mortality with advancing age, then yes.
What happens if we live longer? ›
Generally, increased life expectancy has increased the risk of disease, disability, dementia and advanced ageing prior to death 3, 4.
Does metformin extend your lifespan? ›For People With Diabetes, Metformin Lowers the Risk of Death
Research in humans suggests that metformin can impact mortality. A meta-analysis published in 2017 that included 53 different studies concluded that metformin reduces all-cause mortality and diseases of aging, independent of its effect on diabetes.
The results also revealed that the USA is likely to have the lowest life expectancy at birth in 2030 among high-income countries. The nation's average life expectancy at birth of men and women in 2030 (79.5 years and 83.3 years), will be similar to that of middle-income countries like Croatia and Mexico.
Is there a way to live 500 years? ›Scientists have found a way to lengthen worms' lives so much, if the process works in humans, we might all soon be living for 500 years. They've discovered a "double mutant" technique, when applied to nematode worms, makes them live five times longer than usual.
How long did humans live 5000 years ago? ›Hacettepe University Anthropology Department lecturer Professor Yılmaz Selim Erdal said the examinations on the skeletons revealed that people lived to 40 years of age 5,000 years ago. “The life expectancy of the Early Bronze Age and its contemporaries is around 35-40 years.
What will Earth be like in 2040? ›The report warns that, by 2040, global temperatures are expected to rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, meaning that most people alive today will see the dramatic effects of climate change within their lifetime.
What was the life expectancy in 10000 years ago? ›The more than 80 skeletons found in the area show the approximate average lifespan of the people living there then was between 25 and 30 years.
What diet has the longest life expectancy? ›A Mediterranean diet remains one of the gold standards for living longer and more healthfully. This pattern is characterized by a high intake of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; pulses; healthful fats from nuts, olive oil, and avocado; and herbs and spices. It includes seafood a few times a week.
Why do Japanese live longer? ›Japanese life expectancy
This low mortality is mainly attributable to a low rate of obesity, low consumption of red meat, and high consumption of fish and plant foods such as soybeans and tea. In Japan, the obesity rate is low (4.8% for men and 3.7% for women).
1 state for a long, healthy life: Hawaii. It's not surprising that Hawaii landed the number one spot as the best state for longevity. The Aloha State's life expectancy at birth is 80.7 years, which exceeds all other states and is three years longer than the national average.
Do happier people live longer? ›
This scale examines the positive and negative explanations people give for events in their life. For both men and women, higher levels of optimism were associated with a longer life span and “exceptional longevity,” which the researchers defined as surviving to 85.
What reduces lifespan the most? ›- Too much or too little sleep. A good night's sleep may mean the difference between a good day and a bad day. ...
- Sitting too much. ...
- Not socialising enough. ...
- Worrying too much. ...
- Not flossing your teeth. ...
- Not reading books. ...
- Long commutes. ...
- Being pessimistic.
The researchers found that never smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet and limiting alcohol intake were "keys" to living a longer, healthier life.
How long will I live after 70? ›Age | Life Expectancy-Male | Life Expectancy-Female |
---|---|---|
68 | 15.78 | 18.11 |
69 | 15.09 | 17.33 |
70 | 14.40 | 16.57 |
71 | 13.73 | 15.82 |
Only 2 in 100,000 women live to 110; for men, the chances of becoming a supercentenarian are 2 in 1,000,000. At age 105, according to the new study, the odds of surviving to your 106th birthday are in the ballpark of 50 percent. It's another 50-50 coin flip to 107, then again to 108, 109 and 110.
What age will Millennials live to? ›For each group of 100,000 Baby Boomers, there are expected to be 1,511 individuals surviving to age 95—contrast this with Millennials, who are expected to have 5,043 individuals surviving to age 95 out of each group of 100,000. That means that Millennials are over three times as likely as Baby Boomers to survive to 95.
What are the odds of living to be 80? ›Finally, children born today will live longer than any other generation. About two-thirds will live past 80, and one-third past 90. Almost one in 10 girls born now will live past 100.
What percentage of people live to 90? ›The team then grouped those activities into three categories: less than 30 minutes daily, 30 to 60 minutes daily and 90 minutes or more daily. The participants were monitored until they died or turned 90. At the end of the study, about 16 percent of the men and about 34 percent of the women survived to the age of 90.
What percentage of people live to 80? ›About 2/3 will live past 80, and 1/3 past 90. Almost one in ten girls born now will live past 100.
What are the healthiest years of your life? ›A new large study sought to find out, and according to a sample of over 50s looking back over their life, the answer is between age 30-34. The study was published in Springer Social Indicators Research. Now, don't panic – this is purely a statistical curve and 30-34 is simply at the peak.
What are 4 secrets to longevity? ›
- Embrace an ikigai.
- Eat a plant-based diet.
- Get into gardening.
- Maintain a moai.
Longevity, or living for longer in good health, can be largely controlled by the triumvirate of eating well, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. Diet is an important lifestyle factor in longevity, with poor diet causing 11 million global deaths and 255 million disability-adjusted life years annually [1].
At what age does your face change most? ›The biggest changes typically occur when people are in their 40s and 50s, but they can begin as early as the mid-30s and continue into old age. Even when your muscles are in top working order, they contribute to facial aging with repetitive motions that etch lines in your skin.
How many times do 70 year olds make love? ›They found that 53 percent of participants ages 65 to 74 had sex at least once in the previous year. In the 75-to-85 age group, only 26 percent did. (Lindau notes that a major determinant of sexual activity is whether one has a partner or not — and many older people are widowed, separated or divorced.)
At what age is a person considered elderly? ›The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an “older adult” as someone who is at least 60 years old. Many states may also have different definitions of “elderly” when determining what resources are available in cases of elder abuse, although most states commonly use 65 years of age as the cut-off.
What is the strongest predictor of longevity? ›In the hands of a researcher or clinician, grip strength can serve as a powerful predictor of longevity. The stronger your grip, the longer you're likely to live (unforeseen events aside). Grip strength — as longevity measure — has been confirmed through various clinical trials.
Do you inherit more DNA from mother or father? ›Genetically, you actually carry more of your mother's genes than your father's. That's because of little organelles that live within your cells, the mitochondria, which you only receive from your mother.
What family has the longest life expectancy? ›In fact, the Melis family has been named the longest-living family in the world by Guinness World Records. The nine siblings - six girls and three boys - have a combined age of 818 years.
How long will the life expectancy be in 2100? ›Characteristic | Life expectancy at birth in years |
---|---|
2100 | 82.1 |
2099 | 82 |
2098 | 81.9 |
2097 | 81.8 |
It is expected that by 2070 life expectancy at birth will increase to 89.8 years for women and 87.7 years for men – an increase of about 5 and 6.5 years for each sex, respectively.
What will life expectancy be by 2040? ›
By 2040, Americans will live longer than they do now. Barely. A health forecasting study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation found American life expectancy will reach 79.8 years by 2040, compared to 78.7 years in 2016.
How rare is it to live to 90? ›At the end of the study, about 16 percent of the men and about 34 percent of the women survived to the age of 90. In fact, the authors found that women who were taller than 5 feet 9 inches were 31 percent more likely to reach 90, compared to those who were under 5 feet 3 inches.
Will humans ever live for 500 years? ›Scientists have found a way to lengthen worms' lives so much, if the process works in humans, we might all soon be living for 500 years. They've discovered a "double mutant" technique, when applied to nematode worms, makes them live five times longer than usual.
Has anyone lived past 120 years? ›The oldest known age ever attained was by Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who died in 1997 at the age of 122. Ms. Calment is also the only documented case of a person living past 120, which many scientists had pegged as the upper limit of the human lifespan.
What will be the life expectancy in 2300? ›And even by 2300, the UN expects the world will keep living longer, without any plateau effect. Grouping developed and developing regions together, the UN estimates that women will live to 97 and men to 95 years old. In the developed world, those estimates rise to 99 and 102, respectively.
What will be the main cause of death in 2030? ›The three leading causes of burden of disease in 2030 are projected to include HIV/AIDS, unipolar depressive disorders, and ischaemic heart disease in the baseline and pessimistic scenarios.
What is the best life expectancy? ›It's not surprising that Hawaii landed the number one spot as the best state for longevity. The Aloha State's life expectancy at birth is 80.7 years, which exceeds all other states and is three years longer than the national average.
Was life expectancy really 30? ›“Between 1800 and 2000 life expectancy at birth rose from about 30 years to a global average of 67 years, and to more than 75 years in favored countries. This dramatic change was called a health transition, characterized by a transition both in how long people expected to live, and how they expected to die.”