The Fountain in Our Backyard: Municipal Strategies for Unlocking Longevity

One area within medicine that often goes overlooked in health and mental hygiene is the field of longevity, an area of medicine focused on improving the quality of life in our later years.1 Longevity, or the study of promoting healthy aging, is a field that is not often prioritized in our healthcare systems, despite its immense potential benefit to society.2 This field is centered on the concept of precision medicine, which involves tailoring a unique combination of medications, vitamins, and minerals to an individual based on their specific needs, such as age, gender, and other factors.3

Recent years have seen a surge in clinical trials focused on drugs dedicated to promoting healthy aging. Currently, there are five such drugs in phase III trials, including medications like metformin and semaglutide. These medications and other GLP-1 agonists, primarily used for diabetes and weight management, are now making headlines for their potential to aid in dementia management.4

Despite these medical advancements, the most critical factors in promoting longevity are within our control: nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress reduction, and human connectivity. These lifestyle factors account for the majority of health and longevity.5 For municipal governments, this means there is a significant opportunity to influence the health and well-being of their citizens.

So, how can municipal governments and management play a part in this essential field? First, by recognizing the importance of longevity and incorporating it into their strategic planning. This could involve investing in public health initiatives that promote the key lifestyle factors mentioned earlier, such as nutrition, physical activity, and stress reduction.6

For instance, municipal governments could invest in developing and maintaining parks and recreational facilities to encourage physical activity. They could also implement programs to promote healthy eating, such as community gardens or farmers markets.7 Further, they could offer stress reduction workshops or classes to their citizens, teaching them valuable skills in mindfulness and meditation.

Second, municipal governments can play a crucial role in supporting the research and development of longevity-focused medications. Though this is traditionally seen as the domain of federal governments and private companies, there is a growing recognition of the value that municipal governments can bring to this field.8 By offering incentives to attract longevity-focused companies to their region, or by providing funding for local research institutions, municipal governments can foster a thriving ecosystem of longevity research and development.

Finally, municipal governments can leverage their unique position to foster human connectivity, a key factor in promoting longevity. This could involve supporting community events and programs that bring people together, or investing in infrastructure that facilitates social interaction, such as community centers or public squares.9

The field of longevity is an area that holds immense potential for municipal governments. By recognizing the importance of this field and taking steps to support it, municipalities can improve the quality of life for their citizens and foster a healthier, more vibrant community.

1. 1. Carr, D., & Komp, K. (Eds.). (2011). Gerontology in the era of the third age: Implications and next steps. Springer Publishing Company.

2. 2. Farrelly, C., & Sabin, T. (Eds.). (2017). The Routledge handbook of the philosophy of public health. Routledge.

3. 3. Collins, F. S., & Varmus, H. (2015). A new initiative on precision medicine. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(9), 793-795.

4. 4. Kulkarni, A. S., Gubbi, S., & Barzilai, N. (2020). Benefits of Metformin in Attenuating the Hallmarks of Aging. Cell Metabolism, 32(1), 15-30.

5. 5. Pahor, M., & Cesari, M. (2016). Multimorbidity and physical function in older adults. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 20(8), 854-859.

6. 6. Lian, M., Schootman, M., Doubeni, C. A., Park, Y., Major, J. M., Stone, R. A., ... & Schatzkin, A. (2011). Geographic variation in colorectal cancer survival and the role of small-area socioeconomic deprivation: a multilevel survival analysis of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study Cohort. American journal of epidemiology, 174(7), 828-838.

7. 7. Bostock, L., & Beck, D. (2012). A localised approach to health promotion practice. Health promotion international, 28(2), 271-280.

8. 8. Chapple, K., & Lester, T. W. (2010). The resilient regional labour market? The US case. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 3(1), 85-104.

9. 9. Christakis, N. A., & Fowler, J. H. (2007). The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. New England journal of medicine, 357(4), 370-379.