The Stanford Center on Longevity seeks to address challenges related to increased human longevity through interdisciplinary research and policy work. Its mission is to transform aging culture so that extra years are experienced as a gift rather than a burden. The Center focuses on ensuring mental sharpness, physical fitness, and financial security in old age. It conducts research, holds events, and provides courses on topics like cognition, mobility, and global population aging. The goal is to help society and individuals prepare for a future where living to 100 will be common.

1. UNCOMMON APPROACHES FOR UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES

2. WHAT WILL IT MEAN TO LIVE TWICE AS LONG AS YOUR ANCESTORS? In less than one century, life expectancy increased by an average of 30 years in developed regions of the world. Quite suddenly, there are more people living longer in the world than ever before in human history. They account for an increasingly greater percentage of the world population. Improved longevity is, at once, among the most remarkable achievements in all of human history and one of our greatest challenges. The mission of the Stanford Center on Longevity is to ensure that these added years serve as a gift, not a burden, to humanity.

3. Mission The Stanford Center on Longevity seeks to transform the culture of aging We are an expert on societal issues related to extended life expectancy. We address challenges across traditional disciplines and conduct research and policy work designed to bring about profound changes in the quality of life from childhood to old age.

4. Leadership Laura L. Carstensen, PhD Director, Stanford Center on Longevity Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy, Professor of Psychology Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD Deputy Director, Stanford Center on Longevity Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences

5. Faculty Collaborators Faculty Steering Committee Tom Andriacchi, Engineering Bill Damon, Education Alan Garber, CHP, PCOR Larry Kramer, Law Iris Litt, Medicine Pamela Matson, Earth Sciences Margaret Neale, GSB John Shoven, SIEPR Faculty Affiliates (130)

6. MIND MOBILITY FINANCIAL SECURITY “ To the extent that people arrive at old age mentally sharp, physically fit and financially secure, long-lived societies will thrive.” GLOBAL AGING POLITICS, SCHOLARS & THE PUBLIC Divisions & Programs Divisions: Programs:

7. With older adults making up a larger portion of society, health issues affecting not only the body but also mental functioning and emotional well-being are becoming of greater concern. Cognition and Memory Financial and Health Decision Making Emotional Regulation and Experience SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work: Estrogen Window of Opportunity for Neuro-protection Consensus Conference on Brain Health and Brain Training Longevity, Memory and Music Mind

8. Mobility is critical for independence and quality of life. As people live longer, giving them the ability to remain independent for as long as possible becomes increasingly important. Joint Health and Osteoarthritis Physical Activity Regenerative Medicine Built Environment SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work: System Biology-Mechanical Approach Framework for Osteoarthritis Science of Sedentary Behavior Mobility

9. Improving financial security for growing numbers of long lived people is of growing concern to the United States and the world. Education on financial milestones Improving financial planning Teaching numeracy skills to young people Financial fraud avoidance SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work: Financial Fraud & the Elderly Redefining Financial Milestones Financial Security

10. Population aging in countries throughout the world presents risks and opportunities in terms of economics, sustainability and national security. Stimulate public discourse Initiate research on economic and political implications SCL Focus Areas: Recent Work: Population Age Shifts New Realities of an Older America Global Aging

11. Global Aging Trends Population in millions by five-year age bracket; males on left, females on right. Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects 2008 Revision, Medium Variant Forecast 40 37 U.S. 158 million 318 million 370 million 1950 2010 2030 Global Aging Trends Total population by age and sex, millions 30 Median age 65+ 15-64 0-14

12. Population in millions by five-year age bracket; males on left, females on right. Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects 2008 Revision, Medium Variant Forecast 41 34 1950 2010 2030 Total population by age and sex, millions China 540 million 1,350 million 1,460 million 26 21 P akistan 1950 2010 2030 41 million 185 million 266 million Global Aging Trends 24 Median age 65+ 15-64 0-14 24 Median age 65+ 15-64 0-14

13. Politics, Scholars and the Public creates dialogue between the worlds of politics, academia and the public. Results supplement national policy conversations on health care with information and ideas that are fact-based, politically viable and publicly supported. Health Security Project (on health care reform) Medicare and the Views of 65+ Americans Healthy Aging and Communities “ Planning to Stay” book project Indicators of healthy communities Integrated services SCL Focus Areas: Politics, Scholars & the Public

14. Faculty Research Faculty Seed Grants: Eleven seed grants totaling $500,000 awarded in 2009 Schools include: Medicine, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, Business Postdoctoral Fellowships: Eight postdoctoral fellows, each for three year terms Departments include Bioengineering, Psychology, Medicine and Health Policy and Research, Microbiology and Immunology, Developmental Biology, Medicine, Genetics

15. Courses and Events Courses: Undergraduate Longevity Course First Year Seminar (new student group formed – Stanford Longevity Action Movement - SLAM) Undergraduate Student Practicum Events: “ Launch” conferences – unique and targeted approaches to stimulating action-oriented research Participation in conferences, talks, meetings

16. “ Our challenge is to make old age not only acceptable but inviting – to make sure that our lives in this unexpected overtime will be a contribution, not a burden, either to ourselves or to those who come after us. We can craft an old age that will be intellectually stimulating, socially rewarding, productive and fun. The greatest gift we could give future generations is to say, “Here’s the way you’ll want to be old.” Even better, we can ensure that today’s nursery schoolers are the first generation to live in a society that prepares them to live long and healthy lives…” Laura L. Carstensen Stanford Center on Longevity

17. Stanford Center on Longevity By the time today’s children grow old, living to 100 will be commonplace. To the extent that individuals arrive at old age mentally sharp, physically fit, and financially secure, societies will thrive. The Stanford Center on Longevity asks the questions, convenes the experts, and conducts the research that will help all of us – young and old alike – prepare. http://longevity.stanford.edu