Older couple. PICNIC_Fotografie
We are all getting older, as individuals and as societies. This is particularly true of the developed world but middle income and developing countries are following on quickly behind us. These demographic changes will bring challenges and opportunities and, with these in mind, this month’s episode of LSE IQ asks, ‘How can we age better? ‘
In 1950 there were 14 million people over the age of 80 globally. In 2080 that number is expected to be 700 million. And in Britain, a child born today, will live for more than 90 years and more than 30 per cent will reach a hundred.
Indeed, Michael Murphy, professor of demography at LSE, has said that perhaps the greatest achievement of humanity over the last century is the doubling of the amount of years a child could expect to live from birth.
To explore how we can make the most of the extended lifespans many people will live, Sue Windebank interviews Professor Hiroko Akiyama from the University of Tokyo; Kath Scanlon from LSE London; Dr Thijs Van Den Broek from the Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management; and Professor Alan Walker from the University of Sheffield.
In addition, the LSE IQ would like to thank New Brighton Co-Housing who allowed us to visit and record their community.
Each episode of LSE IQ sees a range of LSE academics, and other experts, line up to give their perspective on one timely question. For all episodes of LSE IQ, and to subscribe on iTunes and SoundCloud, please visit http://lse.ac.uk/iq or search for 'LSE IQ' in your favourite podcast app, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.