[WEBCAST] How Long Can We Live?
VIEW EVENT DETAILSEpisode 3 of The Ageing Effect
The increase in the elderly population in developed economies raises questions about trends in life expectancy, age-specific mortality and morbidity. Greater understanding of the dynamics of ageing will help us improve provision of health and social care; as well as addressing the pressing need of funding an ageing population.
Our session will consider many of the biological questions and uncertainties surrounding ageing. What are the drivers of mortality rates in old age and how will they develop over the next 20 years? Is there an upper limit to life expectancy or will we see further increases? What do we know about the biology of ageing? Can some of its effects be reversed, and the period of healthy life be extended?
In episode 3 of The Ageing Effect, we are joined by Nir Barzilai, Director of the Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and recent author of Age later, and John Schoonbee, Global Chief Medical Officer at Swiss Re.
John Schoonbee is a medical doctor who has been working in the insurance field for about 20 years and directly for reinsurers since 2005. John began working at Swiss Re in July 2011 and is their Global Chief Medical Officer, in addition to specifically covering the EMEA region. He is involved in many aspects of life insurance, including product development, risk and claims assessment, as well as helping with pricing some of the more complex medical life and health products. John coordinates a team of over 20 permanent and consultant medical doctors at Swiss Re, in addition to focusing on key global health topics.
Nir Barzilai is a Professor of Medicine and Genetics and the Director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His research interests are in the biology and genetics of aging, with one project focusing on the genetic of exceptional longevity, another one on the metabolic decline of aging. He is currently leading an international effort to approve drugs that can target aging.
“The Ageing Effect” is a four-part series by Asia Society Switzerland and Swiss Re Institute exploring the effects of demographic change on Asia and the World.