The science of ageing

Extending healthy lifespan equitably will require an interdisciplinary, life course approach with biomedical and technological interventions coupled with public health initiatives, a preventative health strategy and action across all the social determinants of health.

The Academy has undertaken an number of projects looking at the science of ageing - please explore the tabs for more information.

Scientific Aspects of Ageing - House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology inquiry

In 2004 the Academy was invited to respond to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology inquiry into the ‘Scientific Aspects of Ageing’

Evidence was sought on how science and technology can help improve people’s prospects of healthy and active life expectancy, and whether Government policy is in place to achieve this. In particular, the call for evidence focused on the biological processes of ageing; the application of research towards improvement of the quality of life; and in both these areas, the direction and coordination of research.

Health care for older people and the economic aspects of the increase in the life expectancy (such as the future funding of pensions) were explicitly excluded from the inquiry.

Written evidence was sought from a wide range of Academy Fellows and a following working group was convened in order to develop the response further. The Academy’s response was submitted on Monday 4 October 2004.

House of Lords Science and Technology Committee consultation on ‘Ageing: Science, Technology and Healthy Living’

In 2019, the Academy responded to a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Ageing: Science, Technology and Healthy Living. In summary:

• There are a number of barriers that must be overcome to achieve the Government’s 2035 healthy ageing goal, including a growing, ageing population with multiple morbidities and more years in illhealth, persistent inequalities, rising obesity and sedentary behaviour and an increasingly isolated older population.
• Our understanding of the mechanisms of ageing is advancing but more research needs to be done - in particular interdisciplinary research which addresses the impacts of ageing across the life course.
• Biomedical and technological interventions for age-related conditions should be considered within the wider context of societal benefit and values, be supported by a robust evidence base and applied to the populations of relevance. The benefits of individual interventions should be spread across the whole population, not only the most affluent and educated, and not widen inequalities in older age.
• Interventions must be considered alongside preventative approaches on a societal level, which can prevent or delay many age-related conditions from occurring. We need national policies to reduce inequities and improve public health. We know many of the lifestyle and environmental factors that affect ageing, yet these are not being acted upon on a national level. Raising the health and wellbeing of less affluent sectors of society to the levels of the most privileged groups would go a long way to achieving the Government’s aims. 

Nuffield Council on Bioethics’ Future of Ageing Call for Evidence

In June 2021, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics opened a call for evidence to inform the specific challenges of ageing research and healthcare, with special consideration given to reducing health inequalities and developing an inclusive framework with respect to healthcare and research setting.

Our response focussed on five key areas:

1. Prevention
2. Managing Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC)
3. Inclusion of older people in clinical trials
4. Patient and public involvement
5. Health inequalities

The Academy of Medical Sciences' working group report 'Rejuvinating ageing research' highlights the urgent need to understand the connection between the underlying processes of ageing and the causes of age-related diseases. Only with this understanding can be ensure that any increase in life span is of benefit to the health and wealth of our society.

The report launched on 28 September 2009 and was covered in a feature article in the Observer.

The Academy's FORUM has hosted two symposia on the topic of healthy ageing:

Influencing the trajectories of ageing (2016)

Healthy ageing (2020) - a joint conference with the Royal Society