Hainan Longevity Model, Senile Degeneration, Cognitive Disability and Healthy Longevity

Abstract

The aging process is an inevitable and universal phenomenon characterized by a decline in function that all living organisms must undergo. The challenges posed by population aging, along with senile degeneration and cognitive disability, have emerged as pressing public health issues that require urgent attention on a global scale. The ability of older adults to maintain robust physiological function may confer resistance against the risk factors associated with senile degeneration and cognitive disability. Investigating centenarians who exemplify healthy longevity and their underlying mechanisms of functional resilience can aid in formulating preventive strategies aimed at achieving health, extending the lifespan, and identifying the pathways for promoting healthy longevity in the context of population aging. Hainan is the province in China where the largest number of centenarians and the highest density of centenarians are distributed. There are unique advantages to studying the centenarian population in Hainan. Hainan centenarians not only live in the natural environment with high oxygen concentration and dense greenery coverage but also inherit favorable genetic traits and adopt healthy lifestyles, including social participation, good education, stable emotion, balanced nutrition, moderate exercise, reasonable sleep, optimized senses, coordinated metabolism, improved immunity, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, and joint treatment of comorbidities. These factors work together to form the Hainan longevity model (HLM), which is expected to play key roles in promoting healthy longevity and provide scientific evidence for achieving healthy longevity in the older populations. It will also contribute to the construction of a healthy human society and has important social value and practical significance.