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Ten commandments for the future of ageing research in the UK: A vision for action

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Thomas Kirkwood, Professor Mike Catt

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Abstract

Increases in longevity resulting from improvements in health care and living conditions together with a decrease in fertility rates have contributed to a shift towards an aged population profile. For the first time the UK has more people over age 60 than below 16 years of age. The increase in longevity has not been accompanied by an increase in disease-free life expectancy and research into ageing is required to improve the health and quality of life of older people. However, as the House of Lords reported, ageing research in the UK is not adequately structured and a clear vision and plan are urgently required. Hence, with the aim of setting a common vision for action in ageing research in the UK, a 'Spark Workshop' was organised. International experts from different disciplines related to ageing research gathered to share their perspectives and to evaluate the present status of ageing research in the UK. A detailed assessment of potential improvements was conducted and the prospective secondary gains were considered, which were subsequently distilled into a list of 'ten commandments'. We believe that these commandments, if followed, will help to bring about the necessary implementation of an action plan for ageing research in the UK, commensurate with the scale of the challenge, which is to transform the manifold opportunities of increased longevity into actual delivery of a society living not only for longer, but also healthier, wealthier and happier. © 2007 Franco et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Franco OH, Kirkwood TBL, Powell JR, Catt M, Goodwin J, Ordovas JM, Van Der Ouderaa F

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BMC Geriatrics

Year: 2007

Volume: 7

Issue: 10

Pages: 7

Print publication date: 01/01/2007

ISSN (electronic): 1471-2318

Publisher: BioMed Central

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-7-10

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-7-10

PubMed id: 17477869

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