It is not your age that is important, but rather how you age.
The number of adults aged 65 and older is dramatically increasing, creating urgent and unmet needs for technologies and environmental support and resulting in high individual and societal costs. By 2030, U.S. older adults will increase from 35 million to 72 million (12% to 20% of the population). By 2035, there will be more Americans over 65 than under 18. Americans 55 and older comprise 28% of the population, yet account for 57% of all health spending. Medicare/Medicaid costs are growing faster than GDP. The longevity economy represents a $7 trillion market (46% of the U.S. economy) that is projected to double by 2032.
Advances in aging biology and research have not translated to effective products to enhance older adults’ everyday functioning. Current technologies are expensive, one-sized, and ignore social factors, leading to diminished use (e.g., medical alerts & fall monitors). However, recent advances in aging biology, genomics, nanomaterials, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, data analytics, and behavioral gerontology make it possible to invent personalized technologies to benefit aging adults. The Nanovaccine Institute is working to develop a new generation of contextualized engineered technologies to proactively promote personalized and connected aging among U.S. adults and enhance core everyday functions (mobility, physiological resilience, & cognition).
Researchers at the Nanovaccine Institute are using cutting-edge nanotechnology to develop vaccines customized for older adults. Influenza A virus infection results in greater risk of complications and higher hospitalization rates in older adults, with approximately 90% of deaths occurring in adults over age 65. We are urgently working to develop a safe and effective flu vaccine that promotes protective immunity in older adults. The influenza nanovaccine will overcome age-related impairments of immune responsiveness leading to better outcomes.