The Proage Revoultion

It's time to further accelerate the burgeoning pro-age movement. The data supports its importance.

The pro-age revolution advocates for a more positive and inclusive portrayal of aging in society. It challenges ageist stereotypes and discrimination, promoting self-acceptance and confidence among people of all ages. This movement celebrates the beauty, wisdom, and experience that come with aging, emphasizing that it is not anti-aging.

The pro-age revolution encourages people to see aging as a beautiful and natural part of life, rejecting societal pressures that promote the “anti-aging” concept, which often aims simply to make individuals look younger than their age. We need to redefine beauty and health for all ages, rather than striving to appear eternally youthful. At 62, I feel much better than I did at 32 when I was an overweight, sleep-deprived surgeon with poor nutrition and no exercise. I don't want to look 42 and I do not want to feel as I did at 32. I want to be healthy and vibrant for a very long time. We must evolve and redefine societal expectations for women of all ages, including the 62-year-old woman I am today.

The pro-age revolution emphasizes the value of older individuals in all aspects of society, from the workplace to popular culture. The movement is gaining visibility on platforms like Instagram, where older women who are fit, practice good nutrition, engage socially, and have a sense of purpose inspire others. This pro-age revolution promotes age inclusiveness and values people of all ages for their contributions and experiences.

Chronological age is a privilege and an opprotunity, but we need to distinguish between chronological age and biological age. Biological age, or physiological age, is determined by overall health and physical condition, influenced by lifestyle, genetics, and environment. It can vary among individuals and can be optimized. Biomarkers and assessments, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, physical fitness, and cognitive function, can estimate biological age. Molecular biomarkers, such as protein and genetic analyses, also contribute. Understanding one's biological age helps individuals make informed health and lifestyle choices to improve and slow physiologic aging and enhance well-being. Assessing the impact of interventions on biological age is a key component of the pro-age movement. Attention to exercise, nutrition, a positive outlook on life, social engagement, health screenings, treatments, and skin and hair care can help reverse biological age, improve overall health, and enhance appearance. The data shows that recognizing and supporting the pro-age movement can increase longevity, starting even before advanced aging signs appear.

A study on early-life stereotypes predicting cardiovascular events later in life found that individuals in their 40s with negative age stereotypes were significantly more likely to experience cardiovascular events in the next 38 years compared to those with positive stereotypes. A similar pattern was seen in participants under 40 who experienced cardiovascular events after turning 60. This highlights that early internalized age stereotypes can have long-term health consequences. Changing negative aging stereotypes, embracing aging beauty, and promoting positive role models are crucial. The healthcare and other industries must move beyond ageism as it truly impacts health later in life.

Ageism's detrimental effects on health and longevity are increasingly recognized. It affects health through disparities in healthcare, underrepresentation in medical studies, social isolation, loneliness, and psychological effects, especially when ageist stereotypes are internalized. Multiple studies link ageism to poorer health and earlier death. Negative aging messages in society and media can erode self-esteem and sense of purpose, leading to depression, loneliness, and social exclusion. For example, mandatory retirement reduces social networks, increases loneliness and isolation, and decreases income. Negative aging stereotypes worsen memory, self-confidence, and accelerate aging issues. One study found that individuals who internalized ageist attitudes had a 20% higher likelihood of dying than those with positive self-perceptions. Additionally, those with positive views on aging live on average 7.5 years longer than those with negative views. High psychological well-being protects against ageism's harmful effects. It's time to change the narrative and embrace the pro-age revolution for women.

Personally, I find the gray-haired and other pro-age accounts on Instagram extremely inspirational, but we need to extend the pro-age movement beyond Instagram to other outlets including the medical community. The medical community needs to recognize that negative ageism stereoptypes are detrimental not only to older individuals but also to younger ones. We as physicians need to recognize that our attitudes towards aging in our 30s and 40s impact our health later in life. We need to embrace preventive medicine for all ages to maintain a healthy biological age. It is interesting that the name of one of the country’s most well-recognized and effective organizations advocating for individuals over 50, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), contributes to a negative stereotype and ageism. Not every person over 50 aims to be in “retirement.” For some, retirement can lead to reduced stress and enhanced social life, but for others, it can lead to loss of purpose, social isolation, financial stress, and depression. The word “retirement” should not be used for an organization concerned with individuals over the age of 50. It's time to evolve and move past these stereotypes.

My favorite pro-age sites

referneces

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31940338/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10068357/

https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/josi.12157

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6961830/

https://www.prd-journal.com/article/S1353-8020(12)00079-X/abstract

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_9

https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/56/4/610/2605514?login=false

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9008869/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2666386/

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-17391-001