Is the recession good news for longevity-related issues?

On Monday evening I attended A British Library and Strategic Society Centre joint debate (at the British Library) entitled “Keep Calm and Carry On? Policy, Psychology and the Effects of ‘Economic War’”

The interesting but rather eclectic session examined the psychological effects of economic uncertainty and how policymakers should respond.

However, although this was not its intention, what it highlighted quite starkly is how today’s global economic crisis and the pending “longevity tsunami” have now come together in a perfect storm.

It is easy to imagine that were it not for the recent job cuts, intergenerational competition for employment and reduced incomes plus other economic pressures leading many people to have to work longer, the real issues surrounding longevity could have remained buried or blurred for an even longer period than they already have done.

As a society we have known about many of the impending implications of the new longevity for a long time and failed to address them adequately. Perhaps the recession is a good thing in now bringing them sharply into focus?

Any views welcomed on this…

You may also be interested in a forthcoming debate at the British Library entitled “Growing old: Something to Fear or Celebrate?” For more details click below.

http://www.inmyprime.info/documents/BLflyer12jun12.pdf

http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event131096.html

 

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