Senior citizens are set to take the world by storm, and the effects will be profound.
A recent report from the United Nations predicts that by 2047, the number of old people (aged 60 years and over) will exceed the number of children worldwide for the first time in the history of humanity. In more developed regions, this is already the case, due to a drop in birth rate and a decline in mortality at old age. Indeed, the fastest growing population among the elderly is the oldest — those aged 80 years and over.
The implications of this shift in demographics are huge and touch on all facets of human life — social, political and economic. Not least, the health of older people deteriorates with increasing age as the incidence of diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders and neurodegeneration, rises. It is vital, therefore, that we learn more about the process of ageing, and unravel the intricate connections that exist between growing older and disease. This is not necessarily because we would like to live forever, but rather because such research should reveal ways in which ageing populations can stay healthier and feel younger for longer.
Here, we are pleased to present a selection of recent articles from Nature, all of which probe the molecular mechanisms that underlie ageing and age-related disorders. These pieces highlight some of the most exciting developments in ageing research, and we hope that they prove to be informative and stimulating.
Finally, we thank Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for their support in producing this collection. As always, Nature Publishing Group carries sole responsibility for the editorial content.
Marie-Therese Heemels, Senior Editor, Nature
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