...Running Head : EXCEPTIONAL LONGEVITY Exceptional Longevity : An Overview of Centenarian’s Environmental, Psychological, Social and Genetic Backgrounds Tahmina Sarwari University of Toronto at Scarborough November 2nd, 2010 Over the last few centuries, the life expectancy of humans has significantly increased; a trend that is expected to continually grow at a rate of 2.5 years per decade (Arnold et al., 2010). As such, humans nowadays can expect to live longer than their ancestors before them. Several studies have aimed to determine what factors contribute to exceptionally prolonged existence. The following text shall explore the genetic, environmental, psychological as well as lifestyle factors common in centenarians, a population believed to be exemplary of optimal functioning in humans, to determine norms that can explain this phenomenon, shedding light on the gateways to prolonged life. Finally, the text shall address the implications of these research findings. One breakthrough study, known as the “Georgia Centenarian Study” by Poon and colleagues conducted in 1992, has been exceptional in sparking subsequent research in the field of gerontology. This study consisted of recruiting 285 centenarians and individuals nearing 100 years of age (i.e. 98 years and older) from a 44-county area of northern Georgia (Davey et al., 2010). Participants were recruited from skilled...
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...Overpopulation and Longevity Historically, the topic of population and its contents have been feared and unknown to many. With the increasing human population on Earth accompanied by an array of factors such as disease, lack of resources, and increasing life spans, it becomes dramatically harder to look into the future and predict that the world is not being overpopulated by humans. However, despite the myriad of overwhelming issues regarding the concern of overpopulation, I posit through several key examples that we are not in danger of overpopulation and further, that we as a species are actually benefited by increased longevity. It has been determined numerous times throughout the last several hundred years that overpopulation of the human race is looming and is an unavoidable fate of the human race which will ultimately lead to its self-destruction. One such theory, perhaps the most famous, belongs to Thomas Malthus whom lived during the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution laid the foundation for manufacturing on a massive scale which was accompanied by advancements in technology that also brought about an era of farming that was vastly more efficient. In 1798, Thomas Malthus predicted in An Essay on the Principle of Population, (which was revised to accommodate for criticisms,) that the human race could not account for its growth in terms of resources and sustenance as he believed the population increased exponentially compared to food supply (Malthus). Even...
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...Centenarians: The Biological, Sociological and Psychological Secrets to Human Longevity Amanda S. Primm Missouri State University Fall 2014 Abstract There is increasing interest from a multidisciplinary perspective in the study of centenarians, or individuals who live up to and beyond the age of 100. It is possible that these individuals are merely born to an excellent gene pool, or that they have superior coping skills that make it easier to deal with the stresses of life, thus prolonging their healthy status, or that the key to living a century and beyond resides very simply in healthy living, which includes regular exercise, and avoiding the detrimental effects of smoking, alcohol, and foods that contribute to...
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...Henry Wittmus Ptak 5th Fall Of Rome CER April 3rd The fall of the Roman Empire remains a subject of scholarly debate, but it is widely acknowledged that a combination of internal and external factors contributed to its decline. Firstly, internal instability weakened the empire's ability to govern effectively. Political corruption, economic crises, and social unrest plagued the later years of the empire, leading to a loss of confidence in centralized authority. Additionally, the overextension of the empire's borders and military resources strained its defenses, leaving it vulnerable to external threats. Barbarian invasions, “by the 300s “barbarian” groups like the Goths had encroached beyond the Empire’s borders.”(Andrews) particularly by Germanic...
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...Population health is based on the interrelationships that exist between factors that include policy making, social factors, health services, individual behaviour, and biology and genetics. Interventions made on these factors determine the state of health condition. Federal, State, and local policies affect population health either positively or negatively. Tightening policies on the consumption of certain products like tobacco exert a positive impact on health by reducing the level of consumption of such products. Social factors such as a place of birth, work, play, and age determine an individual’s health status. A good distribution of such factors positively determines population health. Access to and quality of health services determines population health. Sufficient access and standardised quality health services exert a positive impact on population health and the reverse is the case (“Determinants of Health,” 2012). Individual behaviour determines population health. Drug and substance abuse, and poor eating habits results to poor heath condition whereas positive changes in individual behaviour positively determine health status (Truman, et al, 2011, p. 1). Biology and genetics determine population health, whereby aged individuals are prone to poor health as opposed to young population. Additionally, poor genes carried by parents are transferred to children resulting to poor health (“Determinants of Health,” 2012). America is one of the countries in which healthcare costs...
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...There are plenty of things that contribute to how old one person can feel. How you work, sleep, eat, spend your free time, think about aging and more are factors that affect how young or old you can feel. Here are science supported healthy habits that will make you feel and look younger. Be Organized According to the US based eight-decade study called the Longevity Project, people who have well-organized lives tend to live longer than less careful ones. The cited reasons were they avoid risky behavior and they look after their health better. This is definitely one of the healthy habits that can make you look younger because you’ll be ready when something out of the ordinary happens. Go Shopping People who shop regularly may live longer. A...
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...Steve Ingwer ET2560 Phil Keck Friday Evenings WHY C IS STILL USED The main thing that my research has uncovered is the performance and reliability Of C programming. Many have also spoken of the ease of use that C provides, Which as of yet I have not found to be true but I am still learning and these people were all experienced users. They have also brought to point the great insight into programming that C offers and the ability it affords you to learn another language. ( A computer language) C also gives the user a feeling of empowerment and control being that close to the “Bare Metal” of the programming process. Many programs written today are C derivitives such as Java ( considered a cousin to C). C is still widely used and can be used in standalone executables. It also compiles for every platform and every processor architecture. A major reason why C is still in use is the fact that they keep extending and rewriting C so it stays fresh and up to date. There is also a lot of existing software that is C and C++ and converting it to another programming method would be costly and take a great effort. C also starts from scratch and has foundational concepts that today’s concepts stand on. Major parts of Windows, Unix and Linux are still written in C. In order to understand some of today’s other computer languages, Such as the afore mentioned cousin to C, Java, one must first learn C in order to learn the other languages more easily. Many of today’s Device...
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...Cognition across the Lifespan Week 7 Ageing Age is determined by the number of years or this is our Chronological Age, however if we want to know about what an individual is like, this is not a very reliable measure. This is because people of the same chronological age vary in their physical and mental state. People also tend to judge others by their Social Age. Or social behaviors that are acceptable at a certain chronological age. Therefore we do not expect grandparents to play on skateboards than we expect teenagers to walk around with sticks. So when does old age technically begin?? There is no proper age wherein a person just turns old in one day, but modern gerontologists suggests that it usually starts between the ages of 60-65. That’s when in majority of people there are significant if not dramatic changes in mental and physical functioning. Again it is important to stress that 1. There is no single point at which a person automatically becomes old and 2. Chronological age is in any case an essentially arbitrary measure. Ageing and Stereotypes The term “ageism” was coined by Robert Butler, M.D., in 1968. Dr. Butler is a geriatrician who saw that society had developed myths, stereotypes and misunderstandings about people as they age. Graham Mulley in 2006 stated that the negative images of ageing (both historical and contemporary) have resulted in misconceptions which have influenced how we think, speak and behave. Evolution of these stereotypes according to Mulley: ...
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...The Impact of Obamacare on the Economy Kimberly Carter Dr. Monjica-Howell MGT 5064: Cost and Economic Analysis 23 April 2013 Abstract In 2010, there were approximately 50 million uninsured Americans. In March 2010, President Obama signed into law a piece of legislation that reformed American’s healthcare industry. The legislation is coined as “Obamacare.” Supporters argue Obamacare provides coverage for our nation’s uninsured while boosting economy. Opponents argue Obamacare will increase healthcare costs and in turn, add to the deficit. The research supports the belief that improving the health status of the American citizens does result in economic expenditures for the United States. There is a relationship between affordable healthcare and the economy. The impact Obamacare has on the economy can be viewed through a simple math equation, a return on investment analysis. The return on investment analysis revealed a positive return on investment. The results suggest American has invested wisely. Investing in the healthcare of the American citizens will improve productivity, is cost effective, and reduces healthcare care costs. The Impact of Obamacare on the Economy In 2010, there were approximately 50 million uninsured Americans. This means that 16.9% of American’s population is uninsured. The numbers are overwhelming and reveal healthcare in American is not affordable. Many argue that the cost of healthcare has doubled in recent years (Department...
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...This problem requires immediate attention that short-term and target-specific programs can provide in the interim until the universal policies can be fully set in motion. As the long-term universal programs become more effective, the short-term and targeted programs will be required less. This is not to say these programs are completely frivolous, just that there will be less emphasis placed on their necessity. Therefore, targeted programs, such as the ones mentioned earlier that would be created with increased educational funding to fix education inequality, are an important solution now despite their possible lack of longevity. To recap, the underclass youth are the key to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and disadvantage in our country. Through increased educational funding, inner-city students will be given new...
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...Late Adulthood and End of Life Verna Gillespie PSY/375 January 22, 2012 Dr. Lynn Seiser Late Adulthood and End of Life Life is a series of continuous ebbs and flows. Life span development goes through the cycles and stages of infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, early or emerging adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood; it is the definitive culmination to the end of life (Berger, 2008). Descending toward the end of life in late adulthood can be despairing, but it does not have to be if one has psychologically prepared for and has accepted that death is inevitable. Senescence, primary aging and secondary aging each take place at this stage, but perspective, quality, and joy of life is still relevant. Eric Erickson, psychologist, defines the late adulthood stage—ages 55 or 65 to death, basically as adults assessing what their lives have cultivated throughout its development. Erickson’s theory of the final stage of development sequence is “integrity versus despair” (Berger, 2008). According to Berger, Erickson proposes in this eighth stage that the two opposing forces reference: Life brings many, quite realistic reasons for experiencing despair: aspects of the present that causes unremitting pain; aspects of a future that are uncertain and frightening. And, of course, there remains inescapable death, that one aspect of the future which is both wholly certain and wholly unknowable. Thus, some despair must be acknowledged and integrated as a component...
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...extended or encompassing other relatives. These families are also called traditional families because these families are what Americans have come accustomed to. Thus because families are growing and allowing extended family in. another reason why they are declining because families are becoming one parent and the children or spit parents and the children live with extended family. Many people do not agree with this conclusion because there have not been any studies to show this but from observation and a look around your own community I sure you can find one of these untraditional families. There are many factors that contribute to families breaking up and becoming unconditional. One huge reason that contributes to families breaking up today is the economy. Many parents are losing their jobs, which is causing tension between the parents and causing many divorces. Another factor of unconditional families is teenage pregnancy, in the United States today when a teenage girl gets pregnant the male figure will usually not stick around causing a non...
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...For anyone who wishes to start their own successful business, there are a lot of important factors to be considered in order for that to happen. The main factor is how the business is intended to be conducted, and characteristics such as liability, taxation, continuity, profit retention and sharing, and the conveniences and burdens associated with the business. It is important for a potential business owner or owners to be educated on the different types of business organizations and rules and regulations involved in order to select the entity that best meets their business needs. Sole Proprietorship The first and most common form of business organizational structure is known as a sole proprietorship. Not only is it the most common, but it is also the simplest form of business organizational structure to establish. The primary characteristic of a sole proprietorship is that it is simply owned and operated by one person. When operating a business as a sole proprietor, the business also operates under the name of the person who is considered the owner of the business. If one were to declare an actual name for the business other than that of the owner’s name, then the business would include the term “Doing Business As,” or simply, D.B.A. An example of this would be, John Doe D.B.A. John’s Landscaping Service. This way, one can see that it is John Doe who is the sole proprietor, but also chooses to use John’s Landscaping Service as an official name for the business. In determining...
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...Health and Illness as a Continuum Model 2 Causation is a complex system that incorporates all aspects of factors that contribute to health: bio-organic, psychological and socially. The patient is considered a contributing actor in the illness or dis-ease developing, treatment is approached from a whole-person perspective with treatment responsibility shared with provider (medical, alternative, or traditional) with the patient and the understanding is that it is a lifelong process of engagement. Key aspects are beliefs, help seeking, coping, pain, social support and quality of life factors. In each the patient has the most important role. More will be discussed in the specifics of the case study of Fatima below. Direct and Indirect Pathways Model 3 This model suggests only two paths that impact health: Direct and Indirect. Psychological factors and behaviors. Psychological factors such as ‘I am feeling stressed’ will have a direct impact on health. Indirect would be the behavior of smoking or not going for a health screening as an example. Only thoughts and actions or inactions have direct health implications. No further components are considered within this model Variability Model 4 This model indicates that health and illness cannot only be explained by illness severity or knowledge but that other factors must have a key role to play. Some of these wide ranging factors or variables are cognitions, emotions, expectations, learning, peer pressure, social norms, coping and social...
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...(D&C 89) In the last 100 years, reports from various government agencies and health organizations have promoted diet, exercise and clean living to improve longevity. The “Word of Wisdom”, as this passage came to be known, was first taught in 1833 and describes a lifestyle that promotes using herbs & fruit prudently and eating meat in time of famine. Also addressed is the use of alcohol; “strong drinks are…for the washing of your bodies.”, and tobacco as an item to be used medicinally for bruises and on sick cattle, with knowledge and skill. (D&C 89:7-9) Studies show that people may live longer and healthier by observing the “Word of Wisdom”. It is a lifestyle that includes fruits and grains in the diet, limiting meat, and avoiding the consumption of harmful chemicals, such as tobacco and alcohol. The benefits of the “Word of Wisdom” are within the capacity of the “weak and the weakest” (D&C 89:3), meaning that these changes are as hard to make as one makes them. Observing the “Word of Wisdom” can only benefit those who live by it. Making lifestyle changes can be difficult, however it has been proven that making a few lifestyle changes in diet and other areas can be useful indicators in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other causes of premature death due to disease and could significantly increase longevity. (Carlsson, 2012) These indicators are helpful to physicians when diagnosing patients and prescribing treatments for illnesses and injuries. Instructions for...
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