How to promote healthy aging across the life cycle

Abstract

The global rise in aging populations is challenging healthcare systems, especially in developed countries. Despite advancements in healthcare and living standards, the extension of lifespan has not been matched by an equivalent improvement in healthspan, leading to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities in older adults. This review examines strategies to promote healthy aging throughout the life cycle, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive strategy that integrates individual, healthcare, and environmental approaches.

Individual strategies include lifestyle factors like diet, physical activity, and social connections. Healthcare approaches focus on improving health literacy, vaccinations, and screenings. Environmental approaches aim to mitigate climate change, reduce pollution, and design longevity-ready cities. A comprehensive strategy combining individual approaches, public health measures, innovative policies, and community support is essential for helping populations live longer, healthier, and more independent lives. Looking forward, this will be complemented by personalized approaches, focusing on individual traits and biological backgrounds. The key to this lies in geroscience, which studies the biological and molecular mechanisms of aging and how they contribute to age-related diseases and functional decline, aiming to design targeted interventions to slow aging and improve quality of life. Artificial intelligence will play a key role in analyzing these complex factors and creating innovative solutions.

In conclusion, aging is shaped by various factors, requiring more than one solution. A combination of comprehensive and personalized strategies can bridge the gap between public health measures and personalized care, offering the scientific insights needed to slow aging and enhance quality of life.