We are delighted to announce that in April, CEO Rupert was invited to join the Strategic Advisory Board for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Longevity, chaired by Lord Filkin.

The APPG aims to address the scientific, technological and socio-economic issues related to the growing ageing demographic to promote living younger, healthier and longer lives, in line with the Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges. The group will facilitate a cross-disciplinary exchange about the advantages of longevity within an ethical, citizen-centred framework, and develop practical guidance and recommendations for the UK government.

At the first Strategic Advisory Board Meeting, Rupert was invited to speak about OBH’s work identifying the ‘currently healthy’ population, and the measurement of outcomes for this specific population group. Whilst health and care systems have generally succeeded in prolonging life in recent years, a whole population, objective, system-level understanding as to whether or not these ‘extra years’ have been lived in good health has yet to be determined. Rupert conveyed the importance of metrics such as HEALTHSPAN and HEALTHY LIFESPAN INDEX in addressing the unsustainable rise of health and care costs. Such metrics are excellent markers of prevention and indicators of progress in achieving several key national targets.