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A groundbreaking study published in Nature Aging challenges traditional views on aging, revealing that older adults today are healthier, both mentally and physically, than previous generations. Conducted by the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health, the study is based on data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging and offers fresh insights into the significant improvements in the functional abilities of today’s older population.
John Beard, MBBS, PhD, a leading researcher from the Butler Columbia Aging Center, explained that the study focuses not only on the presence of diseases but also on assessing cognitive, motor, psychological, and sensory abilities, which contribute to overall aging well-being. According to the findings, older adults today show better physical and mental functioning than those from previous generations at the same age.
For instance, a 68-year-old born in 1950 exhibited a similar capacity to a 62-year-old born a decade earlier. Beard emphasized the substantial improvements, noting that the differences were even more pronounced when comparing individuals born in the 1920s with those born in the 1940s. In fact, if the study had compared a 1950-born individual to someone born in 1920, the difference would likely have been even more significant.
The study’s analysis extends beyond England, with researchers also investigating trends in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Though the Chinese data had a shorter follow-up period, similar trends of improvement in older adults were observed.
The Driving Forces Behind These Improvements
Beard attributes the improvements in aging to several key factors, including advancements in education, nutrition, sanitation, and medical technology. These developments over the 20th century are likely the primary drivers of the enhanced health and longevity of today’s seniors. Medical advances like joint replacements and improved treatments for chronic conditions have played a vital role, further boosting physical and mental health.
However, the researchers caution that these observations are limited to the specific time periods and geographical areas studied. The same trends may not be seen across all populations, particularly in the United States or other countries with different healthcare systems or social conditions.
“We were surprised by just how large these improvements were, particularly when comparing people born after World War Two with earlier-born groups,” Beard noted. “But there is no guarantee these trends will continue, especially with emerging challenges like the increasing prevalence of obesity. It’s likely that more advantaged groups have experienced greater gains than others. But overall, these trends are significant, and for many people, 70 could indeed be the new 60.”
A Bright Future for Aging
Aging expert Jay Olshansky from the University of Illinois lauded the study for its hopeful message. “This is a powerful article. It shows that intrinsic capacity—what really matters to people as they age—is inherently modifiable. With this evidence, we see that medical science can enhance intrinsic capacity, providing a hopeful message for the future,” Olshansky said.
The research sheds light on a critical aspect of aging and provides evidence that intrinsic capacities, including cognitive and physical abilities, can improve and be preserved with the right factors in place. It offers a future of possibilities, where aging can be redefined, and 70 might indeed be the new 60.
Reference:
Beard, J. R., Hanewald, K., Si, Y., Thiyagarajan, J. A., & Moreno-Agostino, D. (2024). Cohort trends in intrinsic capacity in England and China. Nature Aging. DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00741-w
