Dr. Peter Attia Highlights Dr. S. Jay Olshansky’s Research on Lifespan Limits and Future Innovations

Dr. S. Jay Olshansky
Co-founder & Chief Scientist
+1 (847) 347-8585

Lapetus Solutions, Inc. announces that influential longevity researcher and health advocate, Dr. Peter Attia, has featured the groundbreaking research by Dr. S. Jay Olshansky, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Lapetus Solutions, Inc., titled “Implausibility of radical life extension in humans in the twenty-first century ” published in Nature on October 7, 2024 on his website, published on October 9 2024. The research examines trends in human life expectancy over the last three decades and provides a critical perspective on current interventions' biological and practical limits to extend life expectancy.

Key Findings from the Research

• Life Expectancy Trends: The average increase in life expectancy across the studied populations was 6.5 years from 1990 to 2019, but recent trends show a decline in the rate of improvement. In fact, the United States has seen instances where life expectancy at birth decreased at the end of certain decades, a phenomenon not previously observed without extreme events.
• Survival to Age 100: The probability of surviving to age 100 is low, with estimates suggesting only about 5% for males and 15% for females. Hong Kong shows slightly higher probabilities but still falls short of significant thresholds that would indicate radical life extension is achievable.
• Mortality Reduction Requirements: To achieve even a modest increase in life expectancy (e.g., one additional year), substantial reductions in mortality rates are necessary. The analysis reveals that these required reductions have increased over time, making radical life extension increasingly implausible without significant breakthroughs in medical science.
• Future Implications: The authors argue that while there may be potential for future improvements through advances in geroscience aimed at slowing biological aging, current trends do not support claims that most newborns today will live to age 100. They caution against overestimating future survival based on past trends, as demographic metrics indicate a stronger limiting factor on rising life expectancy today than in previous decades.

Implications of the Findings

In sharing the research with his audience, Dr. Attia emphasized the importance of these findings for the scientific and medical communities, particularly in recognizing the current limitations of disease-focused treatments and the potential of future innovations in aging biology. Dr. Attia’s acceptance of the research highlights issues of major significance for life insurance and life settlement organizations. As mortality trends stabilize, underwriters and actuaries will need to adapt their models to reflect these scientific realities while staying attuned to potential breakthroughs that could redefine health while aging, as well as longevity.

“Having Dr. Peter Attia recognize the importance of our research validates its relevance to the scientific, professional and financial communities,” said Dr. Olshansky. “Our findings show that while lifespan extension through current medical interventions may be approaching its limits, the next frontier in aging biology holds tremendous promise. Specifically, the insurance industry will need to prepare for this transition by incorporating both historical trends and the potential for disruptive innovations.”

Dr. Olshansky’s study was originally published in Nature on October 7, 2024, titled “Implausibility of radical life extension in humans in the twenty-first century.” (Olshansky SJ, Willcox BJ, Demetrius L, Beltrán-Sánchez H. Implausibility of radical life extension in humans in the twenty-first century. Nat Aging. Published online October 7, 2024:1-8. doi:10.1038/s43587-024-00702-3)

About Lapetus Solutions, Inc.:

Lapetus Solutions, Inc. is a leading technology and analytics company revolutionizing the life insurance and financial services industries through predictive models, artificial intelligence, and longevity research. Co-founded by Dr. S. Jay Olshansky, the company delivers unparalleled insights into human aging and risk assessment.

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