Centenarians: Keys To Longevity

Course overview

Living to be 100 years old was once considered a rare occurrence, but with advancements in medicine and lifestyle changes, living to be 100 is not so improbable today. As a group, there are more centenarians worldwide than ever before, with the largest concentration found in America. Five places have been identified worldwide where people live the longest, healthiest lives. These "Blue Zones" where people reach 100 years of age at significantly higher rates include the Barbagia region of Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, the Adventist community of Loma Linda in California, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and the island of Ikaria in Greece. The people living in these places have achieved longevity through different paths and different cultures. The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the epidemiology and psychosocial dynamics of centenarians, examine genetic factors that contribute to longevity, and discuss the nine lessons learned from the Blue Zones.