Future of aging research

Abstract

The world population is aging, and this phenomenon is expected to continue for the next decades. The demographic modifications are substantially altering the socio-economic structure of our societies and pose serious burdens to the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide. In order to guarantee that models of care are responsive to the novel needs and transformations, it is necessary to invest in new research paradigms that are respectful of the complexity of the aging process. This implies shifting from disease-centered paradigms towards holistic evaluations of the individual, probably focused on the measurement of objective functions. In this chapter, we provide an overview of current issues affecting research on aging and possible solutions that researchers of tomorrow may valorize.