Determinants of Active Longevity: Results of a Survey of Vologda Long-Livers

Abstract

Population ageing is a major demographic challenge for the majority of developed and developing countries. The implications of population ageing are not reduced to purely economic aspects (increasing the burden on the working population, growing deficit of pension funds) and they lead to a change in people’s attitude toward the elderly as a social group, the resource potential of which should be disclosed, the task being of major importance for any “ageing” country. At the same time, a priority of population policy in any country is to increase life expectancy of its citizens. Thus, given the forecast reduction in demand on the labor market and possible raise of the retirement age in Russia, authorities at all levels focus not just on the increase in life expectancy, but on active longevity of its citizens, which is reflected in the maintenance of physical and moral health of man for as long as possible. The paper investigates determinants of active longevity. The first part of the paper provides statistical analysis of prevalence of this phenomenon in various regions of the world and Russia. The authors draw a conclusion that here the role of geographical and climatic conditions on a global scale is insignificant. However, it is revealed that the number of long-livers in the vast majority of cases is directly proportional to the level of socio-economic development of the territory. The second part of the paper presents the results of sociological research on the determinants of active longevity based on interviews with long-livers in Vologda. The data obtained show that among the factors under consideration it is not the biological (genetic) or geographic factors that are of the greatest importance to the increase in life expectancy, rather it is the behavioral factors such as physical activity, balanced nutrition and a correct day regimen, absence of bad habits, involvement in social activities and extensive social environment, high labor activity. The revealed “secrets” of longevity are not specific recommendations, they rather represent the elements of the style and lifestyle of an individual on the whole, the compliance with which may significantly increase the chances of survival to older ages and help retain physical and mental activity