On July 25, 2019, the Israel National Masterplan on Aging was published, the result of over two years of work of the special Knesset committee on this topic, with the participation of many decision-makers, professionals and stakeholders, including longevity activists.

https://main.knesset.gov.il/activity/committees/labor/Pages/CommitteeReports.aspx

We are happy to report that, at the initiative of the longevity activists, namely “Vetek (Seniority) – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life” (in cooperation with “Israeli Longevity Alliance”) and “Disabled, Not Half a Person” associations, a special section for “Research, Development and Education for the Promotion of Healthy Longevity and Prevention of Aging-related Diseases” is now included in this final published version of the Israel National Masterplan on Aging (p. 145).

This section is not yet included as a program of action, but as a long term strategic challenge and objective for future discussion. Indeed, this part is to be further discussed, developed and promoted, during the next Knesset term and beyond.

The main points of the “Research, Development and Education for Healthy Longevity” program include:

1. Increasing budgets for research and development for healthy longevity.
2. Increasing awareness about aging-related diseases and education for healthy longevity.
3. Establishing and improving public systems for early detection and prevention of aging-related diseases.

Here is the original full proposal that will be further discussed in the future:

Knesset Hearing on Research, Development and Education for the Promotion of Healthy Longevity and Prevention of Aging-related Diseases

https://m.knesset.gov.il/Activity/Committees/Labor/Pages/CommitteeAgenda.aspx?tab=3&ItemID=2076804

https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/committees/Science/Pages/CommitteeAgenda.aspx?tab=3&ItemID=2072962

Generally, the National Masterplan on Aging makes a strong emphasis for the objectives to “increase healthy life expectancy” that is “to reduce as much as possible the period of time when the senior citizens live with diseases and functional decline” (while maintaining or increasing the general life expectancy). The healthy life extension is to be achieved by “health promotion and disease prevention” (pp. 52-56).

This is in accordance with the WHO 13th Program of Work that states that “Ensuring healthy ageing is an urgent challenge in all countries” and suggests the use of “healthy life expectancy” as the main measure of healthcare system efficiency (pp. 52-53).

(It should be recalled, that these very objectives for “healthy aging” appeared in the WHO Work Program thanks to the massive international campaign of longevity activists. 

http://www.longevityforall.org/aging-is-now-included-into-the-who-work-program-thanks/ )

There is no doubt that the inclusion of the subject of “Research, Development and Education for the Promotion of Healthy Longevity and Prevention of Aging-related Diseases” into the Israel National Masterplan on Aging, is a good achievement. Yet, much work still remains to be done in order that this subject is further raised in the public agenda, developed, promoted and eventually implemented for the benefit of all.

Many thanks to all longevity researchers and activists for your work and your support!

See more about the activities of Vetek (Seniority) – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, Israeli Longevity Alliance and allied organizations:

https://www.israel21c.org/israel-fast-becoming-world-hub-of-aging-industry/

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/conferences/IPG2019/international-perspectives-geroscience-israel