The Road to Healthier & Longer Lives — with Andrew Scott
May 30, 2024
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Andrew Scott, Professor of economics at London Business School, discusses longevity and aging in 'The Prof G Pod'. Topics include personal agency, balancing solitude and social interaction, navigating controversial ideas, and addressing inequality in aging.
Embracing healthier aging requires proactive healthcare models and technological advancements for early detection and prevention of age-related diseases.
Encouraging individual agency in health decisions and embracing adult development are vital for promoting longer, purposeful lives beyond traditional age-related norms.
Policy changes are necessary to address financial challenges among the wealthy elderly, adapt to shifting employment demographics, and ensure sustainable economic growth in an aging society.
Deep dives
Importance of Rethinking Longevity and Aging
Rethinking longevity and aging is crucial as advancements have extended human lifespan. The shift from just an aging society to one where the younger generations can expect to live longer demands a new approach. This change signifies that individuals must focus on aging well by maintaining health and productivity. Adjusting to this new paradigm requires a three-dimensional approach: ensuring longer lives are not just prolonged but also healthier and more fruitful.
Transforming Healthcare from Defensive to Offensive
Shifting healthcare from a reactive to a proactive model is essential for addressing the challenges of increasing longevity. Encouraging individuals to take more responsibility for their health is a critical step. Embracing new technologies like genetic screening and personalized treatments can help detect and prevent age-related diseases early. Additionally, prioritizing preventive care over intervention and leveraging big data and AI hold promise in transforming the healthcare sector.
Promoting Individual Agency and Adult Development
Encouraging individual agency in health choices and embracing adult development are key aspects of promoting longevity. Acknowledging personal responsibility for health, making basic lifestyle changes, and redefining one's career path for a longer life can contribute to healthier aging. Emphasizing the discovery of one's true self and potential throughout life rather than adhering to traditional age-related norms is essential for achieving a fulfilling and purposeful extended lifespan.
Challenges in Traditional Social Programs and Policy Changes
Traditional social programs like social security in the US are based on age rather than need, leading to challenges as the wealthiest senior generation faces financial problems. The discussion emphasizes the need for policy changes, such as means testing social security to exclude wealthy individuals and implementing innovative ideas like providing children with a financial starting point that can grow over time, addressing the necessity for reevaluating economic and public policy approaches.
Importance of Redefining Productivity and Employment for an Aging Society
The episode highlights the shift in employment demographics, where older workers aged over 50 are driving employment growth in rich countries like America and Europe, underscoring the significance of keeping individuals active and engaged for longer. It addresses the misconception that an aging society solely impacts pensions, emphasizing the essential need to create resources over a lifetime and rethink traditional perceptions about productivity and extended working ages to ensure sustainable economic growth and societal development.
Andrew Scott, a professor of economics at London Business School whose research focuses on longevity and aging, joins Scott to discuss his new book, “The Longevity Imperative: Building a Better Society for Healthier, Longer Lives.”
Scott opens by sharing his thoughts on recognizing that you have agency.