Aging is transforming both our personal lives and the fabric of society. This timely two-session course explores the medical and social forces shaping longer lifespans—and the challenges that come with them.
In the first week, we will examine the “Four Horsemen of Aging,” the major diseases that dominate later life. Through discussion, we will explore cardiac disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s, and diabetes—how these conditions develop, why they become more common with age, and what current research suggests about prevention, treatment, and management.
Week two widens the lens to consider the broader societal implications of an aging population. Topics include the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare, the impact of demographic change on workforce supply and replacement, and the evolving landscape of housing—from independent living to assisted and supportive care. Together, we will consider how communities, institutions, and policies must adapt to meet these challenges.
This course invites participants to better understand aging not just as a biological process, but as one of the defining social issues of our time.
Class Recordings: