Though it may seem like a sweeping global trend, the fundamental idea of longevity is far from novel. Humans have aspired for longer, healthier lives since ancient times. The science, too, dates back millennia. Aristotle proposed the first theory on aging around 350 BCE [1].
Even in modern science, the roots run deep with the introduction of the Gompertz–Makeham law of mortality in 1825, postulating that mortality rates increase exponentially with age, a principle still relevant in longevity research today [2].
So, neither the science nor the idea of longevity is new. The novelty instead lies in the movement itself — the longevity movement.
That's a crucial distinction to make because the takeoff of the movement marks an era where longevity is universally resonating like never before. Powered by collaborative research, visionary leadership, technological integration, and widespread media coverage, the longevity movement has indeed taken the world by storm over the past decade-plus.
Yet, to sustain the momentum and make sure the movement is a long-lived one, one vital ingredient needs to be emphasized: education.
The Power of Education
To understand the importance of education for the longevity movement, let's draw a parallel with another movement from recent history where education was pivotal: entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship historically began as trade, a straightforward exchange of goods and services. However, it evolved into a global movement in the late 20th century, driven by innovation and the creation of new markets [3]. A key catalyst in this transformation was education, exemplified by institutions like Stanford University.
Stanford fostered an environment where ideas could flourish. It provided the knowledge, resources, and mentorship essential for budding entrepreneurs. Moreover, Stanford's emphasis on innovation and its location in Silicon Valley created a unique ecosystem that nurtured startups and encouraged risk-taking [4].
Fast forward to today, over 40,000 active companies have been founded by Stanford students, including industry giants like Google, HP, Nike, Cisco Systems, and Netflix [5]. This profound impact showcases how education can catalyze a movement, driving substantial economic and societal change.
Now, linking back to longevity, there's certainly no shortage of university labs and clusters focusing on longevity and aging. These research groups have contributed immensely to our understanding of aging processes and potential interventions.
However, the time has come for an institution to be solely focused on longevity. Such an institution would not only educate future leaders in the field but also serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration, policy advocacy, and technological breakthroughs, ensuring longevity achieves its full potential.
Enter: The NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity
The National University of Singapore (NUS) answered the call for healthy longevity education with the establishment of the Academy for Healthy Longevity (AHL).
AHL, part of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS, launched as a first-of-its-kind academic institution that’s fully dedicated to healthy longevity. Boasting an esteemed team of educators and experts, AHL aims to offer a range of courses and programs designed to equip individuals at all career stages to excel in geroscience and healthy longevity medicine. It provides comprehensive education to prepare future leaders for significant contributions in this evolving field.
The Healthy Longevity Talent Incubator: A Proof of Concept
AHL introduced its first program in 2023: The Healthy Longevity Talent Incubator (HLTI).
Designing the program as an incubator epitomized AHL’s forward-thinking approach to education. Whereas conventional incubators develop startups, HLTI aims to nurture individuals. It gathers professionals from all around the world and all walks of life on the NUS campus to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to become the next leaders in healthy longevity.
The inaugural HLTI achieved remarkable success, garnering five-star ratings from participants for satisfaction, knowledge gain, and capacity-building. Thus, expectations for HLTI 2024 were set exceptionally high.
Recapping HLTI 2024
I, Al Hussein Elwan, your resident Medical Content Writer at Rejuve.AI, had the privilege of participating in HLTI 2023 and was honored to be selected for HLTI 2024 as a Junior Mentor.
Today, I'm excited to provide an extensive recap of the 11 days of HLTI 2024, offering the Rejuve Community a glimpse into what longevity education looks like.
Diversity in Everything
HLTI 2024 embraced diversity in every facet, welcoming 43 participants and Junior Mentors from 31 countries. Each individual brought a unique perspective, creating a mosaic of global insights.
Diversity was also evident in the participants' professional and academic backgrounds. While some participants, such as aging biologists and geriatricians, were natural fits for the program, others, like corporate training managers, had more unconventional yet intriguing connections to the field. Participants ranged from undergraduates to postdocs, all contributing to and benefiting from the shared expertise equally.
To celebrate this diversity, the Academy introduced an International Talent Night, a highlight of the program. Participants and staff showcased talents from their home countries, offering an evening rich in cultural expression. This event fostered a deeper sense of human connection, essential for advancing healthy longevity.
The diversity extended to the topics covered in HLTI's lectures and guest speakers. The program featured 22 hours of lectures by 19 distinguished guest speakers, covering a broad spectrum of longevity-related topics. These included biomarkers, diagnostics, immune aging, brain aging, cancer, repurposed drugs, supplementation, population health, microbiome, women's health, and research ethics.
These guest lecturers collectively narrated the intricate story of longevity, broadening participants' horizons. This diverse range of topics reinforced the program's commitment to advancing global health through cutting-edge scientific exploration.
The rich blend of cultural, professional, and academic diversity made HLTI 2024 a truly enriching experience.
Nurtured by Senior Mentors
Throughout their time on the NUS campus, HLTI 2024 participants were guided by five distinguished Senior Mentors:
Professor Hans Meij, a medical anthropologist, specialized in aging within contemporary Africa and Western Europe/USA. His sessions were must-attend, especially his opening lecture on humanity's journey "from longing to longevity," which set the stage for the program.
Professor Andrea Maier, a leading figure in longevity research, brought her vast experience to the table. With over 400 peer-reviewed articles and numerous international observational cohort studies and intervention trials, she lectured on integrating longevity medicine into practice, offering invaluable insights.
Professor Suresh Rattan, one of the modern fathers of the science of biological aging, provided a multifaceted view of aging. His expertise spans the biology of life and death, the philosophy of time and aging, healthspan, and immortality. His sessions, designed as open conversations, encouraged participants to engage deeply with these nuanced topics.
Professor Guenter Lepperdinger, who teaches Developmental Biology, explored the drivers of aging, discussing when and why aging begins. His comprehensive sessions covered the lifecycle from cradle to grave, providing participants with a thorough understanding of the aging process.
Dr. Tine Hjorth, an orthodontics specialist and senior clinical instructor in Dentistry, emphasized the often-overlooked aspect of maintaining oral health for longevity. Her lectures underscored the importance of a healthy mouth in overall longevity.
Beyond their formal sessions, these Senior Mentors were approachable and eager to advise participants on their careers, fostering a supportive environment throughout the program. Their presence and mentorship were instrumental in nurturing the career trajectories of HLTI 2024 participants.
Practicing What Is Preached
While the HLTI agenda was packed with engaging sessions, it prioritized daily exercise to ensure participants practiced what they preached about healthy longevity. Recognizing that everyone has their favorite form of exercise, the program offered a variety of options to invigorate the body in different ways.
Every other day, morning yoga sessions provided a tranquil start, promoting mindfulness and flexibility. Evening workouts, on the other hand, featured a dynamic mix of activities, including HIIT, campus runs, and even salsa dancing. These sessions offered a wonderful opportunity for participants to bond and unwind after a busy day.
Additionally, participants had the opportunity to experience the future of exercise with a visit to a one-of-a-kind gym in Singapore. This facility challenged both body and mind through dual-tasking exercises designed to enhance overall performance.
By incorporating diverse forms of workouts into the daily schedule, HLTI 2024 enforced the importance of exercise in a longevity education program.
A Focus on Career Growth
While theory and fundamentals were integral to the curriculum, HLTI 2024 extended its reach beyond traditional classroom learning. With a strong emphasis on career advancement, the program aimed to equip participants with essential skills and practical career-building strategies.
Recognizing that networking is key to professional growth, the program arranged one-on-one speed networking sessions with 19 career mentors. Participants engaged in over 200 individualized sessions, receiving personalized guidance on career development, resume building, and more.
Assembling such an accomplished group of mentors took meticulous planning and is one of countless areas where the efforts of HLTI staff Jane Ong, Dr. Jonas Amalaraj, and Dr. Weilan Wang truly paid off.
Additionally, HLTI 2024 focused on essential skills for healthy longevity careers, such as leadership. Professor Meij led a three-part workshop on leadership in the healthy longevity field, empowering participants to become future leaders in this rapidly evolving discipline.
Giving Back to Singapore
As a parting gift to Singapore, HLTI 2024 participants engaged in special ethics-approved graduation research projects called SG City Missions. Divided into five groups, each with a Senior and Junior Mentor, participants focused on missions with significant implications for healthy longevity.
The City Missions were as follows:
Longevity, Wealth, and My Legacy (Senior Mentor: Dr. Weilan Wang, Junior Mentor: Wasu Mekniran)
This mission explored how healthcare advancements and increased longevity influence Singaporeans’ financial behaviors, lifestyle choices, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
Mindful SG: Cultivating Mental Well-being in Workplaces in Singapore (Senior Mentor: Prof. Suresh Rattan, Junior Mentor: Dr. Bhirau Wilaksono)
Recognizing the impact of workplace stress on mental health, this mission assessed the current status of workplace well-being programs and identified areas for improvement.
Opinions of Singaporeans on the Use of Digital Health Interventions (Senior Mentor: Dr. Tine Hjorth, Junior Mentor: Dr. Susan Oudbier)
This mission investigated public opinions on digital health interventions as well as challenges, credibility factors, risks, and potential collaborations.
Are Health Influencers Truly Influential? (Senior Mentor: Prof. Guenter Lepperdinger, Junior Mentor: Al Hussein Elwan)
Amidst the rising popularity of health influencers, this mission examined whether influencers, beyond reach and views, can drive healthy lifestyle changes in Singapore.
Health Screening and Social Services: Government Support and Public Awareness (Senior Mentor: Professor Andrea Maier, Junior Mentor: Sai Ho Wong)
This mission aimed to understand why, despite government efforts, there has been limited improvement in health screening rates among Singaporeans.
Participants spent 24 hours of research per mission on extensive literature searches, questionnaire development, field trips across Singapore to survey the public, data analysis, and finally, presenting their findings during the HLTI 2024 Open Day.
The event was open to the public, with all surveyed individuals invited to see the results of the research they participated in, ensuring transparency and providing a glimpse of the societal change the Academy for Healthy Longevity aspires to achieve.
Also in attendance was Member of the Singapore Parliament Mr. Henry Kwek, who reviewed the City Mission recommendations and assessed how they could be implemented on a policy level in Singapore. This direct engagement with policymakers further underscored the program's commitment to making a tangible impact on society.
Conclusion
In two years of the Healthy Longevity Talent Incubator, the Academy for Healthy Longevity has set a benchmark of what longevity education looks and should look like:
It’s evidence-based yet not confined to the classroom.
It’s well-integrated with society and policy while focusing on every student’s own career.
It’s inclusive and it’s very, very communal.
The kind of impact AHL alumni have moving forward will be exciting to follow. For institutes like Stanford, the impact of graduates can be measured in the number of companies founded. For AHL ones, will it be development of new longevity interventions? Establishment of new Blue Zones? Global healthspan gains? The prospects are beyond thrilling.
It was a pleasure to provide the Rejuve Community with an inside look at the HLTI experience and the emergence of longevity education. With so many health and tech enthusiasts, Rejuve Community members are sure to find endless inspiration as potential HLTI participants.
So if you’re looking to deepen your understanding of healthy longevity and fancy a summer trip to Singapore, definitely keep an eye out for announcements on HLTI 2025!
References:
[1] Woodcox, A. (2018). Aristotle’s Theory of Aging. Cahiers Des Études Anciennes, LV, 65–78. https://journals.openedition.org/etudesanciennes/1040
[2] Kirkwood, T. B. L. (2015). Deciphering death: a commentary on Gompertz (1825) “On the nature of the function expressive of the law of human mortality, and on a new mode of determining the value of life contingencies.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370(1666), 20140379. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2014.0379
[3] Sá, C. M., & Kretz, A. (2015). The Entrepreneurship Movement. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137401014_1
[4] Wessner, C. W. (2013). Stanford and Silicon Valley. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK158815/
[5] Eesley, C. E., & Miller, W. F. (2013). Impact: Stanford University’s Economic Impact via Innovation and Entrepreneurship. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2227460