Aging: Emerging Concepts for Life Insurers

Interest in understanding the aging process is on the increase, as population aging has accelerated the burden of chronic disease, while advances in biology suggest that aging may be measurable and, perhaps, modifiable. Tests of biological age are now available, and interventions to slow aging and delay the onset of chronic disease are being evaluated. This article introduces the hallmarks of aging as a framework for understanding the biological processes underlying age-related decline. It then reviews tests of biological age, summarizes interventions to slow aging, and considers their possible ramifications for life insurance medicine.