Longevity and Quality of Life

by Butler, Robert N.; Jasmin, Claude; International Council for Global Health Progress

• ISBN13: 9780306463150
• ISBN10: 0306463156
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Springer Nature

Summary

Nations around the world are experiencing a spectacular increase in longevity. Society as a whole is being challenged by issues arising from this revolution in longevity. Although the specter of the loneliness and existential suffering of older citizens is such that some people under the age of 65 find it difficult to conceive of a long-term future, persons over 85 have proven that aging does not necessarily preclude a healthy and productive life. Extraordinary progress in both curative and preventive medicine justifies optimism about the quality of life and state of well-being that can be enjoyed even in great old age. We should look to professionals in diverse fields to develop creative solutions to the inevitable issues that will arise with aging. Governments must prepare for the future health of their citizens by making long-term investments to educate all sectors of society in the value of good nutrition, exercise, and lifestyles that enhance well-being throughout life. Also, governments should realize that the main cause of health care expenditure is serious illness which occurs in persons of all ages, and not predominantly in older people. Early detection can help save lives, as well. Health and longevity of life will ultimately end as a political issue. What is needed is long-term government investments necessary for a viable health policy. The question arises: will world leaders be able to commit to such a policy? Two major socioeconomic phenomena may have a regulating effect on this issue. The first is the emergence of pressure groups that have come into being in response to a particular health issue, such as AIDS. The second is the emergence of ethics committees in developed nations that deal solely with health issues.

Table of Contents

Introductions: Challenges and Opportunities
A Malthusian Revolution	1	(4)
Claude Jasmin
A Global Approach	5	(2)
Maurizio Iaccarino
Longevity and Women's Health	7	(6)
Nafis Sadik
Opening Remarks	13	(4)
Bernard Kouchner
Worldwide Revolution in Longevity and Quality of Life	17	(2)
Alain Pompidou
Global Aspects of Longevity
A World Wide Approach
The Revolution in Longevity	19	(6)
Robert N. Butler
Longevity Around The World	25	(12)
Vladislav V. Bezrukov
Longevity as an Artifact of Civilization	37	(10)
James W. Vaupel
Can We Afford Longevity?	47	(14)
Robert W. Fogel
Prevention of Aging
The Biology of Aging and Longevity	61	(8)
Calvin B. Harley
Quality of Life and Disorders of Longevity	69	(8)
Francoise Forette
Understanding the Biological Determinants of Longevity: New Opportunities and Challenges	77	(6)
Thomas Kirkwood
Specific Social Responses to Age-Related Dysfunction	83	(6)
Alvar Svanborg
In Year 2000: Aging, the Forgotten Revolution: Will DHEA Help Us?	89	(14)
Etienne-Emile Baulieu
Industrial Responses to Aging
Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Nutritional Interventions In the Disorders of Longevity	103	(4)
Hannes B. Stahelin
Nutritional Intervention to Help Prevent and Cure Longevity Disorders	107	(14)
Pierre R. Guesry
Gerontechnological Interventions and the Health and Quality of Life Of Older People	121	(10)
M. Powell Lawton
Importance of Health in the Elderly: A Challenge to the Biomedical Reserch & Development and to Society	131	(8)
D. W. Scholer
Quality and Quantity of Life
Longevity and Quality of Life
Ethics and Entrances	139	(10)
Charles Richard Boddington Joyce
Dignity, Well-being and Quality of Life	149	(6)
Jonathan M. Mann
Health, Longevity and Quality of Life	155	(6)
Francois Regnier
Ethics of Health Care for the Elderly
Longevity, Aging and the Demand of Primary Care	161	(10)
Chris van Weel
Health Inequalities Persist Into Old Age: Results from the Longitudinal Study	171	(10)
Elizabeth Breeze
Gentle Closure	181	(6)
Kathleen Foley
Social and Cultural Challenges of Longevity
Longevity: Generational Conflict or Interaction?
Introduction	187	(2)
Gordon J. Piller
The Age Revolution: Benefits and Concerns	189	(8)
James E. Birren
Are We Moving Toward a War Between the Generations?	197	(12)
Claudine Attias-Donfut
A Remarkable Lack of Intergenerational Conflict: How Should Government Spending be Divided Between Young and Old	209	(10)
Humphrey Taylor
Aging and Cultural Diversity
Some African Vignettes	219	(6)
Kihumbu Thairu
Coping With Old Age in Africa	225	(10)
Nana Apt
Women and Longevity
Women in the Longevity Revolution	235	(4)
Betty Friedan
Political Responsibilities in the Longevity Revolution
How Seven European Countries Have Anticipated The Consequence of Population Aging in the Healthcare Sector: A Survey of Ernst & Young	239	(6)
Pierre Anhoury
Responsibilities of the Individual and Society: Political Responsibilities in the Revolution In Longevity	245	(12)
Ursula Lehr
Maintaining Prosperity in An Aging Society	257	(6)
Nick M. Vanston
The Organization and Financing of Social Protection	263	(6)
Bob Williams
Looking Through the Mirror of Old Age
Literature and Medicine: Garcia Marquez' Love in the Time of Cholera	269	(8)
Anne Hudson Jones
Ethics and Longevity	277	(6)
Jean Bernard
Longevity and Quality of Life	283	(4)
Elie Wiesel
Conclusion
Synthesis	287	(4)
Harvey V. Fineberg
Contributors	291	(6)
Index	297