Israel’s Longevity Revolution
The Start-Up Nation is rapidly emerging as a global leader in geroscience and healthy longevity. Here’s what makes Israel a lighthouse in the research of aging
Israel's reputation as a hub for technological innovation is well-established. Ranking 7th in the 2021 Bloomberg Innovation Index, the country has consistently led the world in research intensity, spending a whopping 5.44% of its GDP on R&D in 2022. This culture of innovation has now set its sights on one of humanity's oldest challenges: aging.
The academic community in Israel is buzzing with aging research. Every major university in the country either has or is planning an aging research center. But it's not just academia - Israel's extensive network of geriatric hospitals and departments are at the forefront of cutting-edge clinical aging research.
The country's strengths in this field are diverse and impressive. From developing geroscience-based drugs to pioneering regenerative medicine, from genetic interventions to personalized medicine, Israeli labs and R&D departments are excelling in all areas related to healthy longevity.
The Power of Digital
Israel's unique position in the world of healthcare data is another ace up its sleeve. The country has been a global leader in digitizing health records since the 1980s. Today, the entire health system is digitized, providing unparalleled opportunities for longitudinal data mining to uncover the secrets of healthy aging.
This digital health revolution has caught the government's attention. Large investments have been approved for national digital personalized health projects, aiming to utilize the digitized health records of all 9 million Israeli citizens to develop new drugs through big data analysis.
Lastly, in March 2023, Israel launched the Mosaic Project. This nationwide initiative aims to use genetic and clinical information from donors across the Israeli healthcare system to accelerate innovation in personalized medicine, including aging-related health. It's a collaborative effort involving major medical centers, government ministries, and academic institutions.
Hard Work Pays Out
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Israel ranks among the top 10 countries globally in life expectancy (about 82.6 years) and holds the impressive 6th place in healthy life expectancy (about 73 years). These achievements have contributed to Israel being ranked 4th in the UN World Happiness Index in 2023.
But Israel isn't resting on its laurels. The country recognizes aging as a critical national challenge and is developing specific policies to address it. The "National Masterplan on Aging," initiated in 2018, is perhaps the most comprehensive policy program to date, addressing all aspects of preparedness for an aging population.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite these impressive strides, challenges remain. Investment in aging research is still insufficient, with only about 0.5% of Israel's general research budget dedicated to aging and aging-related diseases. There's also a pressing need for more educational programs focused on geroscience and healthy longevity at all levels of society.
Moreover, the development of standardized metrics for evaluating aging processes and the effectiveness of interventions is crucial. This could set a global standard and boost the development of longevity medicine worldwide.
“There is much work that yet needs to be done to implement the suggestions of the National Masterplan on Aging, especially as regards its strategic section on “Enhancing research, development and education for healthy longevity and prevention of aging-related disease” – says Dr. Ilia Stambler, researcher at the graduate program in Science, Technology and Society of Bar-Ilan University, the author of the section on “Enhancing research, development and education for healthy longevity” in the Israel National Masterplan on Aging. “This is also the subject of the Longevity Nation conference, held in Bar-Ilan University at the end of October.”
The path forward is clear and collaboration is key. Israel's unique combination of technological innovation, healthcare efficiency, and forward-thinking policies positions it as an ideal partner for the US, UK, EU and other countries in longevity research. By joining forces, Israel and other countries can accelerate breakthroughs in geroscience, share valuable data and insights, and develop standardized metrics for evaluating aging processes. This collaboration could speed up the development of effective interventions, bringing tangible benefits to aging populations faster. Together, we can enhance outcomes, drive innovation, and bring about transformative changes in healthy aging.