Harvard experts discussed on Mar. 30 the evolving perspectives on aging, highlighting both longer life expectancies and new approaches to living well in later years.
As Americans live longer than ever before, with a life expectancy of 79 for those born in 2024, questions about quality of life and societal roles for older adults have become more pressing. The discussion explored how advances in medicine, shifts in cultural attitudes, and new research are shaping what it means to age.
Maud Jansen, an M.D.-Ph.D. candidate at Harvard’s Department of the History of Science, reflected on her clinical experiences where some physicians viewed negative outcomes for elderly patients as inevitable. “It’s thorny, because in a way we have to accept that people get older and might have bad outcomes. But then again, are we sure?” Jansen said. She explained that historically, older adults were often seen as incurable and unworthy of treatment—a view that began shifting with the advent of Social Security and increased awareness about ageism during the twentieth century.
William Mair, professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, addressed biological aspects of aging. He noted that while maximum human lifespan has not changed much—Jeanne Louise Calment remains the oldest verified person at 122—more people are reaching advanced ages in good health due to factors like nutrition and social engagement. “Some people have incredible health — centenarians, or people who are super active into their late 90s. That’s not just luck,” Mair said.
Nancy Donovan from Harvard Medical School emphasized psychological aspects of growing older: “People start to decline, and then they withdraw,” she said. Donovan advised against disengagement from work or social activities since these can support ongoing cognition and healthy aging: “Disengagement may precipitate further decline.” She also described her own positive experiences with later life: “We’re relishing this period of freedom… If you still have your health, it’s a peak phase.”
