A recent study conducted by the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health has shed light on the significant improvements in the health of older adults in England when compared to previous generations. Published in Nature Aging, the study took a unique approach by examining trends in people’s functioning rather than focusing solely on the presence or absence of disease. This included cognitive, locomotor, psychological, and sensory capacities.
Utilizing data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, the researchers discovered that older adults today exhibit higher levels of physical and mental functioning than individuals from previous generations did at the same age. The improvements were substantial, with a 68-year-old individual born in 1950 showing similar capacity to a 62-year-old born a decade earlier. Those born in 1940 also demonstrated better functioning than those born in 1930 or 1920.
The study’s lead author, John Beard, emphasized the role of advancements in education, nutrition, and sanitation throughout the twentieth century as key factors contributing to these improvements. Medical breakthroughs such as joint replacements and enhanced treatments for chronic conditions were also likely influential. However, the researchers cautioned that these observations were specific to a particular period and country, and may not be applicable to other regions or populations.
Despite the promising findings, Beard noted that future trends could be influenced by factors such as the increasing prevalence of obesity. He also highlighted the possibility that more advantaged groups may have experienced greater gains than others. Aging expert Jay Olshansky commended the study, emphasizing the potential for medical science to enhance intrinsic capacity and provide hope for the future.
The study, titled “Cohort trends in intrinsic capacity in England and China,” was published in Nature Aging. It serves as a testament to the malleability of intrinsic capacity as individuals age, offering a positive outlook for aging populations. The researchers suggest that these trends indicate that, for many individuals, 70 truly may be the new 60.
For more information, readers can refer to the original article published in Nature Aging. The study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and has significant implications for understanding the health trends of older adults.
