Ageing
In order to allow the ageing population enjoy quality of life as well as longevity, research into ageing and age-related disease is a priority for MRC, Government and other research funders.
Increases in Life Expectancy
Over the 20th century there was a dramatic increase in life expectancy:
- 47 years in 1900
- 68 years in 1950
- 80 years in 2000
The Baby Boom Generation and the Age Shift
In the aftermath of the second world war there was a ‘baby boom’ which, when taken together with today’s increased life expectancy and reduced birth rates, means that the number of people over the age of 60 is increasing and will overtake the number of people aged 20-30 years old.
It is predicted that by 2030 there will be more than 19 million people over 60 in the UK compared with about 16 million younger adults. The shift in the age of the population will have implications across many areas of life including the social and economic impact of an ageing population.
The MRC recognises that the increases in the number of older people will have to go together with promoting healthy aging to ensure people remain active as they age. Medical research will be needed to continue developing ways to prevent and treat the diseases associated with ageing.
The Challenges of Ageing Research
One of the challenges in performing research into ageing is in recognising the breadth of scientific, medical and social science issues that need to be addressed. To take one example, if you had to decide what area of research to fund in order to help people at risk of stroke, which would you select?
- Research into the causes of stroke to prevent stokes occurring?
- Research into how to treat strokes one they have happened?
- Research into how to best to support a family caring for someone who has suffered from stroke?
- Research into new technologies to help people maintain independence and quality of life after suffering from a mild stoke?
Research is needed all of these areas (and more) in order to provide the best advice and care for people at risk of stroke.
It is clear that if you consider the number of diseases and conditions that affect us as we age, together with the normal slowing down and increasing frailty that occurs as we age, there are a lot of research questions that need to be asked.