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 Fu