Toward priorities for aging research

Abstract

The global population is aging, and although age remains the primary risk factor for all major causes of death, no priorities for aging research exist. After reviewing the literature on mortality modeling, we found that different chronic processes underlie mortality before and after reproductive age. To identify priorities in aging research, we propose a simple ranking method that uses the percentage of deaths attributable to each disease for the over 60 population on the basis that, rather than being the result of individual risk factors, these deaths are largely due to underlying senescent processes. Our ranking suggests that vascular aging, led by ischemic heart disease and stroke, is the most important focus for aging research. The availability of funding, however, is not currently aligned with health priorities, and we believe that rectifying this disconnect may improve societal health outcomes.

FIG. 1.

Percentage of total deaths represented by major disease categories for: (1) All ages, (2) population over the age of 60, and (3) population over the age of 85. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, predominantly resulting from vascular aging, are highlighted as a subcategory of cardiovascular disease.