From Psychologies · Nina Parage · · 1m 20s
70 is the new 60, and science proves it
People in their seventies now have the physical and mental abilities of sixty-year-olds from two decades ago.
In brief
People in their seventies now have the physical and mental abilities of sixty-year-olds from two decades ago. Seventy-year-olds today have the capabilities of sixty-year-olds from 20 years ago, thanks to better healthcare and prevention. Originally reported by Psychologies.
Seventy is the new sixty
A 70-year-old today has the physical and cognitive abilities of a 60-year-old from 20 years ago, according to geriatrician Bruno Vellas.
“nos 70 ans ressemblent aujourd'hui aux 60 ans d'une génération plus tôt”
Research confirms the trend
A study of over 14,700 British and Chinese participants since the early 2000s shows a person born in 1950 has better intrinsic capacity at 68 than someone born in 1940 at 62.
Memory, mobility, and vitality improve
The biggest gains appear in memory, mobility, and vitality. These improvements show up equally in men and women across England and China.
Better healthcare slows aging
Advances in heart disease treatment, declining smoking rates, and wider access to prevention mean our biological clock ticks slower than before.
ICOPE Monitor catches problems early
Bruno Vellas created ICOPE Monitor with the World Health Organization. Starting at age 50, it screens six key functions: mobility, cognition, nutrition, mood, hearing, and vision.
Real-world results show promise
In France's Occitanie region, over 10,900 people aged 60+ were screened between 2020 and 2021, with 70% following up at six months. The goal is to reach two million people by 2027.
The short version
Seventy-year-olds today have the capabilities of sixty-year-olds from 20 years ago, thanks to better healthcare and prevention.
