The Longevity Imperative

A leading expert on longevity calls for a revolution in the way we think about health, ageing, and the future.

Shortlisted by the Financial Times for the 2024 business book of the year, The Longevity Imperative: Building a Better Society for Healthier, Longer Lives by economist Andrew J. Scott, challenges us to view living longer lives as an opportunity.

Thanks to increases in life expectancy, we can now expect to live for a long time. Most of us would welcome an extra day in the week, so why do so many of us view the prospect of additional years with fear and skepticism? The reason is simple: society is not currently structured to support long lives. Rather than thinking in terms of the needs of a rising number of older people, we must instead support the young and middle-aged to prepare differently for the longer futures they can expect.

The Longevity Imperative outlines the innovations needed to make the most of these longer lives: substantial changes to our health system, economy, and financial sector, as well as in how we manage our careers, health, finances, and relationships.

This book charts a course to address the individual, social, political, economic, and cultural changes required so that all of us – regardless of age – can live lives that are not just longer but healthier, happier, and more productive.

Join us for drinks at this Words & Wine in-person Non-Fiction Forum that marks the end of another great year of good conversations in good company. The enjoyment of participating in these intimate member-only discussions is that everyone who attends gets to comment on the book we’ve read, exchange ideas with fellow readers and share their perspectives.