What healthy aging looks like: Human Aging Project's Dr. Jeremy Walston

The aging population is growing faster than ever before. By 2050, the proportion of people age 60 and older is expected to double.  As longevity increases, how can people's quality of life continue into their later years?  A groundbreaking project at Johns Hopkins University is trying to figure out what healthy aging looks like. Dr. Jeremy Walston is a professor of geriatric medicine and gerontology and leads the Human Aging Project, a cross-disciplinary initiative that supports research in biology, clinical care, and engineering.  "The vast majority of people probably have gene mixtures that are not predicting that they're going to live to be 100 years old," Walston said. "So in that case, I think it's really important that people who want to maintain their health and prevent the development of chronic disease states continue to exercise and do everything they can do. That, I think, is what's pushing longevity in healthy 70-, 80- and 90-year-olds rather than the genes themselves." Exercise and diet are important, of course. But so are social interactions. "It helps people's brain continue to function and not become socially isolated," Walston said. #features #fullframecgtn Watch CGTN LIVE on your computer, tablet or mobile https://cgtnamerica.vhx.tv/videos/hd-live-broadcasts Subscribe to CGTN America on YouTube Follow CGTN America: Twitter: @cgtnamerica Facebook: @cgtnamerica Instagram: @cgtnamerica TikTok: @newstoks This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.