The Academy for Health and Lifespan Research, composed of the world’s leading scientists in aging biology, is committed to advancing the promise of geroscience. The biology of aging is modifiable; it can be altered, slowed, and delayed. To extend healthspan and improve quality of life for future generations, research must be prioritized, and funds must be invested in this critical area.
In the U.S., we are witnessing a troubling decline in the recognition of the value of basic science and biomedical research—at a time when its promise has never been better. Now more than ever, policymakers and elected officials should act to reverse this trend and provide the sustained support needed to drive scientific progress. Our advancements have been made possible by decades of government-funded research across all areas of science, including chemistry, biology, physics, computer science, and mathematics. Continued decreases in funding will derail future breakthroughs and threaten the U.S.’s role as a global leader in medical innovation.
Enhancing healthspan is not only a scientific imperative—it is an economic one. By reducing the burden of chronic illness, geromedicine, based on geroscience, holds the potential to save billions in healthcare costs while enabling longer, healthier, and more productive lives.