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GENETICS OF SUCCESSFUL AGING (GenSA)
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
During the last several decades, we have witnessed the aging of the American population and that of our region in particular. Allegheny County now surpasses Dade County in the proportion of residents who exceed 65 years of age. This realization has led to an understandable emphasis on the goal of "successful" aging by many segments of our national community, including governmental, healthcare, and social agencies, with the prominent participation of senior citizen organizations. While successful aging is a complex concept that requires consideration of a multitude of variables reflecting the quality of life, longevity is surely a cardinal and indispensable prerequisite to successful aging. Individuals who die prematurely cannot age successfully, regardless of the most favorable environmental circumstances. Lifespan also has the virtue of being a readily quantifiable variable with an irrefutable endpoint.
Aims & Significance
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