Vitality in Aging Research Group, Inc. (ViAging™)

Advancing Longevity and Aging Research

ViAging is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing aging research by examining biological aging, and the physiological and functional changes in the human body that accumulate over time. The accrual of which, both individually and collectively, contribute to decline and ultimately lead to death. Understanding this fundamental process is crucial because aging itself is the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases and mortality.

Mission Statement for Vitality in Aging Research Group

ViAging’s mission is to better understand the biological aging process, to develop interventions that may increase health span in humans, and to alleviate other biological indicators of age-related diseases. This mission is grounded in the recognition that aging represents the greatest humanitarian challenge of our time, with profound implications for individual quality of life, healthcare systems, and society at large. By focusing on the root causes of aging rather than merely treating its symptoms, ViAging seeks to transform the trajectory of human health in the later decades of life.

Importance of Longevity and Aging Research

The yearly death rates in 2018 for people over the age of 65 was approximately 1,800 deaths per 100,000 and nearly 14,000 per 100,000 for those over the age of 85. Aging research is critically important because aging itself is the primary risk factor for most major diseases, including cancer, heart disease, dementia, and diabetes, meaning that interventions targeting the biological aging process could prevent or delay multiple conditions simultaneously rather than treating each disease in isolation. By extending health span and compressing the period of morbidity at the end of life, aging research has the potential to alleviate enormous human suffering while dramatically reducing the economic burden on healthcare systems and families. Unlike disease-specific research that benefits only some people, aging research is universally relevant, as it addresses the fundamental biological processes that affect every human being.

Promoting Healthy Lifespans Through Science

Investigating the factors of aging and the interventions that may modulate the aging process has the potential to profoundly impact lives and may extend health span. By understanding the molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms that drive age-related decline, researchers can identify potential therapeutic targets and preventive strategies. These interventions, ranging from lifestyle modifications and dietary approaches to pharmacological treatments and emerging biotechnology, aim not merely to extend lifespan, but to compress morbidity and preserve functional capacity throughout the later years of life. The ultimate goal is to enable individuals to maintain their independence, vitality, and quality of life for as long as possible, transforming the experience of aging from one of inevitable deterioration to one of sustained wellness.