Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read December 2023 — People are generally living longer lives, creating a “new stage of life” as Joseph Coughlin, founder and director of MIT AgeLab, pointed out at the recent Invest: Boston launch conference.
During the event’s second panel, “The Longevity Economy: How Boston is leading the shift in care and education for healthier outcomes – and what still needs to be done,” Coughlin, Brooks Tingle, president and CEO of John Hancock and Dariush Mozaffarian, director of The Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University shared perspectives on new opportunities in key growing demographic around the world. The session was presented by Hilina Ajakaiye, executive vice president of Meet Boston and moderated by Jon Chesto of The Boston Globe.
The panelists delved into how Boston is pioneering innovative approaches in healthcare, education, and lifestyle, all of which contribute to enhancing the well-being of its aging population. This exploration went beyond healthcare advancements and encompassed the broader societal and economic implications of an aging demographic.
As the conversation moved forward, Mozaffarian highlighted the crucial role of nutrition and its integration into the healthcare system. He underscored the revolutionary shift in healthcare, where medically tailored meals and groceries are now part of treatment plans, showing promising health outcomes. “Tufts in Boston is the center of the evidence generation for the food and medicine wave that’s sweeping the country,” Mozaffarian stated, noting Boston’s leadership in this transformative trend.
Coughlin discussed the broader implications of the longevity economy, which extends beyond healthcare to include lifestyle, socialization, and urban planning. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of longevity as a complex system. “Longevity economy is about really thinking about how life has gotten longer and changes every single assumption that you have,” Coughlin remarked, urging a reevaluation of traditional views on aging and retirement.
Shifting the focus to the life insurance industry’s adaptation to the longevity economy, the panel welcomed Tingle’s perspective. He elaborated on John Hancock’s innovative strategies, which include offering incentives and rewards for healthy living. “We’re seeing dramatic outcomes… our customers that use these solutions are living on average much longer,” Tingle noted, highlighting the significant impact of proactive health engagement within the insurance sector.
The panelists pointed to Boston’s paramount importance as a thriving hub for the longevity economy. They attributed this preeminence to the city’s unparalleled confluence of academia, healthcare, finance, and technology, which fuels groundbreaking innovations that not only extend life expectancy but also improve the quality of life.
As the session concluded, Coughlin covered the multi-faceted nature of the longevity economy. “We have to start thinking about inventing a new life stage,” he stated, also mentioning the transformative impact of this economy and emphasizing the need for a fresh perspective on aging and its implications on society. Tingle also reinforced this sentiment, expressing his excitement about Boston’s potential in this area. “I just couldn’t be more excited about the potential of Boston to thrive and frankly lead,” he remarked.
The discussion left attendees with a sense of optimism about the future, as Boston continues to leverage its unique strengths to lead the way in creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all ages. The longevity economy, as presented by the panel, is not just a concept but a tangible, evolving reality in Boston, setting a benchmark for cities worldwide. Mozaffarian captured the essence of this movement, saying, “The idea of the longevity economy of Boston would be to create the science, evidence, pathways, the implementation and the environment that would let people live longer healthier lives and save money in healthcare spending.”
For more information visit:
https://www.meetboston.com/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/
https://www.johnhancock.com/index.html
https://nutrition.tufts.edu/
https://agelab.mit.edu/
