New Research Indicates Babies Born Today Will Live Much Longer

New research in Great Britain has revealed that most babies born today will live to be at least 100 years old. This is due in part to the advancement in medical technology. These statistics apply to the developed, richer countries in the world.

Life expectancy has steadily increased over the past 100 years by as much as 30 years in countries like the United States, the U.K., France, Germany, Canada and Japan. These extended life expectancies have a lot to do with better health care for the elderly. Heart disease is more easily managed, and more people are aware of the benefits of a healthy diet.

Unfortunately, most of the governments are already struggling with funding for the elderly programs. With many more people expected to receive government funding in the coming years, it could prove to be very difficult. Governments need to take action now, in order to provide support to the elderly in the future.

A solution that many governments are taking into consideration, is raising the retirement age. The hope that older people in the future will be healthier and be able to work later in life. An idea of having part time work available for the older generation, could help take the pressure off the rest of the workforce.

Elderly people today are able to continue somewhat active, self sustaining lifestyles well past the age of 75 years old. After 85, is when the frailness is starting to set in, and illnesses such as diabetes and arthritis are more common. This lends to the idea, that modern medicine is holding off the effects of aging.

The current obesity levels, may actually hold this number down, or possibly reverse it. Obesity is becoming a world wide health concern, and is a major cause of illness and early death around the world. Cancer and heart disease are still leading killers, but with modern medicine these diseases are being slowed or cured.

Analysts predict that in five to ten years, there will be more people alive over the age of 65, than under the age of five years old.