Pushing The Age Barrier

In 2022, 1 in 7 individuals in Asia Pacific were aged 60 or older. This demographic trend is accelerating, with projections suggesting that by 2050, 1 in 4 people in the region will fall into this age group, according to the United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), 2022.

- Ayesha Siddiqui

To address the growing concern of an ageing population, the APAC region is actively taking steps to tackle longevity-related issues. In August 2023, Singapore marked a significant milestone by inaugurating the world’s very first Healthy Longevity Medicine Clinic. This achievement is part of a broader wave of developments in the region that focuses on the science of ageing and longevity. Let’s explore further.

Asia’s rapid ageing is driving efforts to slow this process, with Singapore at the forefront. In September 2023, a groundbreaking Healthy Longevity Clinic was unveiled at Alexandra Hospital, aimed at delaying biological ageing and enhancing health span. This clinic uses Singapore-specific ageing biomarkers, incorporating research from the NUHS Centre for Healthy Longevity (CHL) to advance precision medicine and geroscience. The CHL, established in September 2022, is a pioneering pre-clinical and clinical ageing research institute, focusing on longevity medicine and biological age. This initiative aligns with Singapore’s broader approach to elderly care outlined in the 2023 Action Plan for Successful Ageing, promoting care, contribution, and connectedness for seniors. In July 2023, Singapore’s Duke-NUS also launched a nationwide study focused on shedding light on the well-being of older individuals and the impact of policies. This comprehensive study is designed to gain a deep understanding of the health, social, and psychological well-being of older citizens. Its ultimate goal is to provide valuable insights that can inform the development of effective policies and programmes to support Singapore’s ageing population.