What Is An Extra Year of Healthy Lifespan Worth?

Why Improving Healthy Longevity Is Important

Imagine a world where people enjoy longer, healthier lives. With the progress in anti-aging research, this is increasingly becoming a reality. Moreover, it could represent a windfall of over $37 trillion for the United States alone!

A study by Scott et al. (2021) titled “The economic value of targeting aging” crunched the numbers and found that delaying the onset of age-related chronic diseases by just one year could be worth a whopping $37 trillion. [note; for fiscal 2023 the total US Government expenditures were $6.2 trillion]

What accounts for such a large savings? When people live longer and healthier lives, they need less healthcare, they’re more productive, and they contribute more to social security. It’s a win-win-win situation!

Investing in Health Extension: Why It Matters

Putting effort and money into health extension research is not just about living longer; it’s about improving the quality of life for everyone. Here are a few reasons why this is so important:

• Economic prosperity: A healthier population means a stronger economy. When people are healthier, they can work longer, contribute more to society, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
• Reduced healthcare costs: A healthier population means fewer people needing expensive medical treatments. This can lead to lower healthcare costs for everyone.
• Improved quality of life: Living longer and healthier means enjoying more time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and experiencing life to the fullest.
• Social and environmental benefits: A healthier population can also have positive impacts on society and the environment and the world as a whole. For example, healthier people are more likely to be active in their communities and to make environmentally conscious choices.

By investing in health extension research (and actively staying healthy ourselves), we are investing in a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. It’s a worthwhile endeavor that will pay dividends for decades to come.

Live long, live well, and prosper!