Grand Challenges of Our Aging Society: Workshop Summary (2010)

8:30–9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Background

Ronald Lee, University of California, Berkeley, Chair of Symposium Planning Committee

9:00–10:45 a.m.

How can biological research, medical advances, and ethical considerations inform health care decisions?

Health span and life span—Richard Miller, University of Michigan

Frailty—Linda Fried, Columbia University

Judicious use of resources—David Reuben, University of California, Los Angeles

Discussion/Q&A

10:45–11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

What steps can individuals and society undertake to enhance healthy aging?

Exercise and cognition—Arthur Kramer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Racial disparities and communication—M. Chris Gibbons, Johns Hopkins University

Obesity in older persons—Gordon L. Jensen, Pennsylvania State University

Discussion/Q&A

12:30–1:15 p.m.

Lunch

1:15–3:00 p.m.

What will be the macroeconomic and financial impacts of an aging society?

General macroeconomic impact—Axel Börsch-Supan, Mannheim Research Institute for the Economics of Aging

Financial impact—Robin Brooks, Brevan Howard Asset Management, LLP

International perspective—David Canning, Harvard University

Discussion/Q&A

3:00–3:15 p.m.

Break

3:15–5:00 p.m.

How will income security and health care financing programs be affected by the aging of the population, and how should they be changed?

Income security—Alicia Munnell, Boston College

Health and long-term care—Kenneth Langa, University of Michigan

International perspective—Andrew Mason, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Discussion/Q&A

8:30–8:45 a.m.

Welcome and Overview of Day

Ronald Lee, University of California, Berkeley, Chair of Symposium Planning Committee

8:45–10:30 a.m.

Will our institutions and policies permit sufficient flexibility in the timing of major life activities as life span increases?

Social perspective—Phyllis Moen, University of Minnesota

Economic perspective—Richard Burkhauser, Cornell University

Discussion/Q&A

10:30–10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

In what ways will our communities be affected by an aging society and how should they respond?

Social perspective—Sandra Rosenbloom, University of Arizona

Physical perspective—Joseph Coughlin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Discussion/Q&A

12:15–1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00–2:30 p.m.

Summary Discussion: What topics would benefit from studies conducted by the National Academies?

• Robert Binstock, Case Western Reserve University

• Robert Butler, International Longevity Center

• James Jackson, University of Michigan

• Barbara Torrey, Population Reference Bureau

• Axel Börsch-Supan, Mannheim Research Institute for the Economics of Aging