The Longevity Science Panel has been set up to monitor trends, generate discussion and form views on issues related to the UK’s population longevity trend. The Panel is interested in the drivers that are enhancing life expectancy for example, medical advances and social change, as well as the inhibitors such as aspects of lifestyle and delays in development of treatments.

The Longevity Science Panel will regularly be presented with issues and papers on scientific developments for them to review and analyse to determine the implications on future UK life expectancy. The opinion of the panel will then be shared across the insurance industry, as well as with government, and public offices, where appropriate. The aim is that the panel will be a key source for learning and understanding on the implications of scientific developments on UK life expectancy.

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Improvement in life expectancy in the UK is a significant strategic issue for the UK Government and the economy and is currently poorly understood. As a consequence, it is important to study both the drivers enhancing life expectancy e.g. medical advances and social change and the inhibitors e.g. aspects of lifestyle and delays in development and delivery of treatment interventions.

The Panel takes account of:

• Evidence from the biomedical sciences about the ageing process;
• Developments in epidemiology and their implications for health, morbidity and mortality;
• Evidence about changing rates of the major causes of death;
• Emerging clinical advances and their likely impact on longevity;
• The capabilities of UK health institutions to implement advances in healthcare and public health;
• The impact of social change on future life expectancy.

The Panel is unconstrained in the conduct and communication of its work by any particular commercial interest. Its conclusions will be openly disseminated, with the intention of promoting public interest in the factors that influence life expectancy.