PROLONGING LIFE, NOT DEATH

The 3.8 million United States seniors who celebrated their 85^th birthday before the year 2000 constituted the fastest growing segment of the population. By 2030, this group will number 9 million, and will swell to 19 million by 2050. The new focus on aging must go beyond extending the life span. Rather than delaying death, medical science must work toward prolonging a fully lived life.