Within a century, life expectancy in Western countries has virtually doubled, made possible by a positive coincidence of factors that include advances in medicine, pharmacology, improved hygiene conditions and, finally, an overall improvement in individual diet. The proportion of elderly people (those aged over 65) has also increased significantly.
In light of the current scenario, it is essential to study and implement interventions to bridge the ‘gap’ between lifespan and healthspan. If such action is not taken, people could on average expect an old age with a low quality of life for a longer period of time.
