Dr. Finkel Hosts Showcase Around Unraveling the Basic Biology of Aging
The mission of the Aging Institute is to understand how and why we age – and to leverage this information for new therapies to treat age-related diseases. With new findings and discoveries each day, we wanted to highlight all of the hard work and research being done inside Bridgeside Point I.
Hosted by Toren Finkel, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, G. Nicholas Beckwith III and Dorothy B. Beckwith Endowed Chair of Translational Medicine Director, Aging Institute, the exciting and interactive Showcase: Unraveling the Basic Biology of Aging took place in the fifth floor boardroom, where attendees were given an exclusive look into the world of aging and what – if anything – can be done about the aging process.
Upon RSVPing to the activation, we asked our members three questions all centered around aging:
Q: Which is a more dominant concern of yours, getting old or dying?
Q: If you could dictate your own life span, how long would you want to live?
Q: If it became technologically possible to extend the average human lifespan by, say, 25 years, what issues can you imagine would arise?
A:
Overpopulation
Chronification of diseases
Healthcare and disability
Overpopulation in a world already overpopulated
The identification of many structural problems within our society and health systems
General wear-and-tear on the body
Overcrowding, using more resources, making sure those 25 years are actually healthy and productive years
If healthspan doesn't improve at the same pace as lifespan, then we'll have to make improvements to the healthcare system so that patients have adequate access to treatment and screening. Social programs would also need to be started to give the elderly more autonomy in their lives, for example, like transportation
Equal access to the available technology
Longevity of organs, neurological processes, bones/teeth, etc.
Lack of career advancement for the younger
Consistent vitality, bankrupting retirement systems, and change in voting patterns
Social security and quality of life
Health insurance, working and retirement age/arrangement, ratio of productive vs. retired population, mental and physical health of aging population, as well as others, associated costs, global warming, and population growth
Multi-morbidities
Resources to care for an advanced age population
Quality of life
Population growth and density issues
Quality of life and benefits for elderly
Mental health
Ethical implications in terms of affordability, such as, if only the rich will be able to do so
During Dr. Finkel’s 30-minute presentation, he touched on several of the topics and concerns mentioned. The session was also proceeded by a Q&A discussion led by David Tyndall, Founder and CEO of Collaborative Real Estate. From Alzheimer's to cardiometabolic diseases to degradation in age-related diseases, we learned a plethora of information from Dr Finkel, including:
Those 70 and above have increased risk factors of dying from things like a heart attack, cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure – which is nearly double that of someone under the age of 70.
The oldest living woman was 122, from southern France.
Based on twin studies, they have found that less than 20 percent of your genetics contribute to when and how you age.
Animals that are given less to eat tend to live longer.
The Showcase was a huge success and members shared they’re looking forward to more similar activations in the future!