The amount of time that someone survives between birth and death.
Deeper dive
A key question for aging researchers is whether the life spans of humans have a maximum upper limit determined by the biology of aging. Some researchers are convinced this is not the case, and are seeking ways to actively reverse aging – and extend people’s life spans – through dietary restrictions, biomedical engineering or other means. One group active in promoting research is the Methuselah Foundation.
Other scientists are studying “supercentenarians” – people who live to the age of 110 or more – for clues about factors that contribute to or promote exceptional life spans in humans. Nir Barzali, MD, Scientific Director, American Federation for Aging Research and Director – Einstein-Institute for Aging Research, described superagers as those who have aged more slowly biologically than their chronological age. “They do not accumulate age-related diseases and require treatment, which allows them to work longer, enjoy post-retirement interests, and live life to the fullest.” His studies showed that these super agers live healthy lives up to three decades longer than their peers. They also spent less time being ill, which saves on costs of care.
A French woman who lived to the age of 122, Jeanne Calment, is the oldest known human, according to the Guinness World Records. With improved medical care and advances in public health, more people are living to a very old age than ever before in human history and life spans have gradually lengthened over the past several hundred years.