Researchers are increasingly demonstrating that slowing down the ageing process is not only good for our health, but also for the economy. A recent study calculated how much money it generates to slow down ageing in a healthy way. The result: stopping or slowing down ageing yields much greater economic gains than simply treating individual diseases.
The problem is that most of the extra years we live nowadays are not necessarily in good health. Many older people have to deal with one or more chronic illnesses such as heart problems, diabetes and dementia. These conditions often last a long time and result in high healthcare costs and a lower quality of life. Therefore, it is important that scientists increasingly focus on the ageing process itself rather than just the associated diseases.
According to the study, a healthy life extension of ten years could even yield well over 300 trillion dollars. This means that living longer while maintaining good health is not only desirable for our personal well-being, but can also mean major savings for society. Preventing disease through a healthy lifestyle and new medical interventions plays a central role in this.
The future of healthcare should therefore be more focused on preventing age-related diseases by tackling the ageing process. That way, we can not only live longer, but also enjoy an active and vital life for longer. This approach fits well with the pursuit of healthy ageing and contributes to a better quality of life at a later age.
This research highlights the importance of investing in health and prevention so that we can live not only longer, but above all healthier lives.
Source: Buck Institute
