THE DISEASE OF AGEING

IS AGEING A DISEASE?Aging is often described as a risk factor for disease. Indeed, the risk for hundreds of diseases, the so-called age-related diseases, is increased with age and some of these diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease) never occur in young people. I and others have argued that aging itself should be called a disease. Interestingly, aging has been described as a 'disease complex' in the older literature (Perlman, 1953). But can something that increases the risk for disease (a risk factor) be a disease in itself? The answer is undoubtedly yes. Take for example diabetes which is a disease that also increases the risk for various other diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, atherosclerosis, and various cancers. Or the "accelerated aging" disease Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) that increases the risk for heart disease.

Autorentext

Oliver Mupila Kameya is an author, Zambian Guru on Ageing. Expert Gerontologist, Development Strategist and Initiator of the Centre of Excellence on Ageing. Was the first Zambian to set up an organization for the Aged called [Afro-Elder International] that pushed the Chiluba Government to come up with the International Day of Older Persons.