Slowing the aging process may be the most effective and cost-efficient strategy for preventing and slowing disease, extending healthy life years and improving public health, according to a study published in Health Affairs.
Researchers ran a simulation called the Future Elderly Model, which compared longevity, disability and entitlement program costs in both "disease specific" and "delayed aging" scenarios.
In the model scenario in which healthcare focused on delaying aging, individuals lived an average of 2.2 years longer, most of that time in good health, than individuals in the scenario where healthcare focused on targeting specific diseases.
In addition, the delaying aging model saved $7.1 trillion over 50 years. Though entitlement outlays increased, these costs were offset by increasing the Medicare eligibility age and the Social Security Retirement age.
The study concluded the healthcare system and the American population could benefit from a paradigm shift in care and research goals.
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