The basics of longevity in Latin America
One issue that has ever crossed through our mind, has to do with that natural process in human beings, the product of the course of life, of the accumulation of years -and learnings-: Aging.
The first Latin American Longevity Summit, organized by AMIIF, Jthereum Corporation and Funsalud, brought us together around this topic; in a space where leading longevity scientists explained their research, experts recounted their positions, and investors discussed the potential in this sector.
Because, as Cristobal Thompson explained, as decades pass, there will be more people who reach the age of one hundred years or more, and the time comes to advance in the path of longevity, and to consider whether we can delay aging, so that people live longer and with a better quality of life.
Look towards tomorrow
As luis Miguel Gutierrez pointed out “When we talk about healthy aging, we talk about the ability to maintain well-being as we move forward in age”.
This is important, because, as Victor Zamora said: “In the coming years, one in four Latin Americans will be an elder person, and so we must legislate, regulate, plan, and reach a political consensus to respond to the picture that awaits us.”
In addition: “From 40 to 60 years old, a decline in memory begins. As a person ages, the capacity for permeation and memory decreases,” said Doug Ethell; so, the interest in working on longevity issues has increased from science, and thus, improve people’s quality of life.
All of this, given the growing number of older adults and that, young people today will be those who will live the decisions that are made around aging in the future.
Regional perspective
Thus, one of the questions that arises, is how to address challenges at the regional level. On this, inclusion is fundamental since the elderly perceive a great need for spaces of participation and effective incidence. “The pandemic is the best reflection of how their rights were affected, and decisions that did not consider them were made,” said Viviana García.
García also noted that Chile is one of the oldest countries in Latin America, with an average life of 80 years, and 20% of older people. So, “the challenge is to incorporate the rights approach for older people,” she added.
The Peruvian case also drew attention; the country’s former health minister said: “Policies are needed for the elderly. Even more so when 54% of the family’s income in Peru is thanks to the elderly”.
As for Mexico: “We have healthy aging programs, but we can carry out more research, and have an influence in health problems like osteoporosis. The goal is for patients to reach advanced ages with the highest possible quality of life,” said José Clemente Ibarra.
As for the attention to longevity in Costa Rica: “The elderly person is still seen as someone fragile who needs to be helped. There is no picture of how we can address aging comprehensively,” said Flor Murillo.
In this way, at the regional level, the importance of the dissemination of good practices in relation to the aging approach is emphasized; likewise, as Viviana García Ubillo added: “Coordinated work, as the document of aging healthy decade proposes, is important, by strengthening regional perspectives”.
Investment in longevity and when to start in the region
Moreover, research and innovations development require investment, which is why: “Our goal is to find a way to intervene in human aging. This can help us live better,” said Greg Fahy.
In that sense, Hernando Guzmán stated that, considering that people are living up to 10 or 15 years more, strategies to invest in longevity medicine must be developed.
“Investing in longevity is crucial. The technology in aging medicine is the future, which means that we are creating a trend in a society that is getting older by the day, and that will live longer,” added Eder Carvalhaes.
This, bearing in mind that it seems that it is possible to develop an intervention that has a considerable impact on age, which would happen allegedly soon, and “that is what we are working on,” emphasized Fahy.
It’s not just about living longer…
In this way, “It’s not just about living longer, but about having a healthier life. And there is role from the development of medicines of having access to health care. The future is already here, and we have to take advantage of it,” said Santiago Chico.
Because longevity refers to living longer, but with better quality. Therefore, Hernando Guzmán emphasized that it is key to understand the importance of investing in companies that make health care and technology development possible for longevity.
This, starting from the fact that, as Christopher Thompson pointed out: “There are more than a billion people worldwide over the age of 65, and there is no doubt that life expectancy will continue to grow. That is why it is important to think about how to delay aging and allow people to live with a better quality of life.”
In addition: “We must build on the lesson learned. One in three deaths in the pandemic is in Latin America, and half of those killed in the region are older adults,” as Víctor Zamora said, emphasizing the importance of research, development, and longevity policies.
Sources
First Latin American Longevity Summit
* The information contained in this document is a summary of the webinar that portraits the perspective of the experts and does not necessarily reflect the views, thoughts or opinions of FIFARMA or its members. Any content provided by our experts are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.