The Need for Anti-aging Medicine: The Challenges Faced to Incorporate Preventative Medicine into the Clinic and into Society

摘要

The world's population is getting older and this fact is made clear by the aging demographics of both developed and developing countries. Projections estimate that there will be very sharp rises in the numbers of people over the age of 50, and very small increases expected in those under 15. From these facts, we judge that the costs of traditional health care based on the current "nationalistic" model will struggle to be met unless they undergo a radical alteration. A number of possible solutions are debated, ending in a conclusion that a liberal society is likely to choose preventative medicine as the next health care model for the twenty-first century. To this end, the concept of anti-aging preventative medicine is tackled, including some of the difficulties involved with bringing this new arm of medicine into the clinical environment. Also discussed is the challenge of biological age measurement, to assist in the determination of the actual level of health in a "healthy" person, with a view to an optimal health, rather than just normal health. Anti-aging medicine is a new concept, one that enables individuals to work with health care professionals in a different way and to take better care of themselves. It is in everyone's interests to understand that there is a need for preventative medicine in our societies and that this information is conveyed effectively to the public.