Press Releases

Corporate America Begins to Focus on the Longevity Revolution

NEW YORK (February 26, 2008)— The size of the 65+ population in the United States will more than double over the next 30 years and corporate America is starting to take notice. The International Longevity Center-USA (ILC-USA) has partnered with four global corporations to support research, policy initiatives and public awareness campaigns to improve the lives of older adults and future generations as they age. MetLife Mature Market Institute, Philips, Roche and Takeda have all joined efforts with the ILC-USA in 2008.

The ILC-USA is also featured in the current issue of The Corporate Philanthropist – a quarterly publication from the influential Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy – focusing on corporate philanthropy and aging. The cover story was authored by Dr. Robert Butler, president and CEO of the ILC-USA.

“The private sector has had a tremendous impact on the growth of life expectancy. Corporations have played an important role in developing vaccines, improving agriculture and nutrition, transforming medical care and hospital practices and generally raising the quality of life across societies,” says Dr. Butler in his article, "Corporate Philanthropy and the Longevity Revolution."

“Yet, while the growth of population aging and longevity constitute a great human achievement there are obvious challenges. Americans are not financially prepared. There is a shortage of caregivers. Older adults are vulnerable to abuse. Corporations can play a vital role in developing solutions for these growing concerns.”

“Corporations are beginning to realize aging issues directly impact their bottom line. The ILC-USA is committed to inform society on how to best navigate today's unprecedented increase in longevity, and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders in establishing new approaches and solutions to these challenges and needs.” ~Joris de Vries, Director of Corporation Relations for the ILC-USA.

Through corporate partnerships the ILC-USA works together with the private sector to bring about positive change in the form of policy recommendations, information to change attitudes and the level of understanding of complex longevity issues, advocacy for healthy aging, and increase the sensitivity to the needs of older people as consumers and stakeholders in our society. Corporate partnerships in 2008 include:

Technology for Independence with Philips

In a two-part series of consensus conferences, experts will envision a future in which older people are able to maintain and enhance their quality of life while living independently to older ages.

Health, Wealth and Retirement Security with MetLife Mature Market Institute

How does health and a healthy life impact wealth formation, and thus, a more secure retirement? The project will look at the intersection of health and wealth and how they relate to one another and to retirement security. A comprehensive report and a policy summit are planned for 2008.

Helping Caregivers: Managing Multiple Drugs with Roche

The ILC-USA will develop an informational toolkit for caregivers and patients for The Management of Concurrent Drug Treatments in Older Patients. The online module will cover all these topics, including a review of some of the more common co-morbidities and therefore more common concurrent drug treatments.

Sleep and Health Aging: The Coalition for Sleep Disorders in Older People with Takeda

In an effort to ensure the proper care of older adults with sleep disorders, the ILC-USA assembled thirteen leading aging, geriatric, and sleep organizations to create the National Coalition for Sleep Disorders in Older People. The Coalition is developing comprehensive clinical practice guidelines on how to diagnose and manage sleep disorders in older adults.

“Corporations are beginning to realize aging issues directly impact their bottom line,” says Joris de Vries, Director of Corporation Relations for the ILC-USA. “The ILC-USA is committed to inform society on how to best navigate today's unprecedented increase in longevity, and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders in establishing new approaches and solutions to these challenges and needs.”

More detailed information on corporate partnerships and the ILC-USA can be found at www.ilcusa.org/corporate. To download The Philanthropist newsletter on corporate philanthropy and aging and read Dr. Butler’s article "Corporate Philanthropy and the Longevity Revolution" visit the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy Web site www.corporatephilanthropy.org/ncp