Nir Barzilai

Maximize the years we spend in good health, rather than managing chronic diseases. Dr. Nir Barzilai's research spans from cells to countries, but he will address his studies on families of over 800 centenarians—individuals who have reached 100 years of age—that have uncovered genetic variants that appear to slow the aging process and have been translated into FDA-approved drugs. Importantly, these individuals not only achieve exceptional longevity but also experience a significant delay (by 20–30 years) in the onset of age-related diseases compared to the general population. Furthermore, they exhibit a pronounced contraction of morbidity, spending relatively little time with illness at the end of life. These observations underscore the potential for interventions that extend healthspan and longevity, offering society (countries) a substantial “longevity dividend” by reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life. At any age, healthspan and longevity can be achieved by maximizing or optimizing exercise, diet, sleep, and social connectivity. This may not be enough at a certain point, and lots of development has been pursued. Right now, we can use Several FDA-approved drugs that have demonstrated the ability to modulate fundamental aging processes. As such, we propose that clinicians consider the use of these gerotherapeutics as a strategy for secondary prevention in older adults. Together, these clinical and genetic insights support a paradigm shift: from treating disease to proactively preserving health through the science of aging.