I am a gerontologist. Gerontology is a branch of biomedical science that studies aging over the lifespan from in utero until death. It is a “three-legged stool,” as gerontology encompasses biological, psychological, and social [biopsychosocial] aspects of aging. Is aging a disease? NO. The gradual deterioration, loss of viability, and increase in vulnerability are inevitable. Known as senescence, this gradual process is common across all species and cannot be “cured.”
Life expectancy: How long you may “expect” to live or the “average” age of death in that particular population/country IF YOU ARE BORN TODAY. Infant and child mortality and public health standards are reflected in life expectancy figures. The healthiest and wealthiest countries in the world have life expectancy over 80 years. Life expectancy in Monaco is 89.4 years, Japan 85.3, and the USA ranks 43rd with 80 years, primarily due to disparities in health care and our acute care model of health. The acute care model is like waiting for the oil light to come on instead of maintaining the vehicle and changing the oil every 5,000 miles and having reliable transportation.
Longevity: What is possible. For example, Jeanne Calmet lived for 122 years.
References:
CIA. The World Factbook. Country comparison: Life expectancy at birth. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html
Roser, M., Ortiz-Ospina, E., & Ritchie, H. (2019) Life expectancy. Our World in Data. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy
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