A Case for U.S. Universities to Accelerate Longevity Economics Research
U.S. universities have a strong record of leading research in economics, finance, and public policy, which has driven the growth of new industries and produced many economic scholars ((National Science Foundation, 2025). Advances in medicine, biotechnology, and preventive healthcare are extending healthy lifespans, presenting new opportunities for economic growth. While universities such as MIT (MIT AgeLab, 2025), Stanford (Stanford Center on Longevity, 2024), USC (USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology), and Harvard (Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research) have established longevity institutes and contributed to research on the economics of longevity (MIT AgeLab; Stanford Center on Longevity), this focus is not yet widespread across most academic departments.
Several leading professors, including Joseph Coughlin of MIT (The Longevity Economy, 2017), Susan Golden of Stanford (Stage (Not Age), 2022), and Andrew Scott of Oxford (The Longevity Imperative, 2022), have published influential books. Dr. David Sinclair (Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don't Have To, 2019), Dr. Lisa Abraham (RAND Corporation), and Professor Sanzenbacher (Boston College Center for Retirement Research) have also contributed significant research and scholarship in this field.
The longevity economy is experiencing significant growth. Venture capital investments in longevity-focused biotech companies have exceeded $8.5 billion (PR Newswire, 2025). Clinics such as NextHealth, Fountain Clinic, and Biograph are advancing preventive healthcare (Biograph Health, 2025).
Now is the time for more universities to research how longer, healthier lives will impact the senior workforce and retirement systems. Expanding faculty and student support and encouraging collaboration will drive further innovation (London Business School, 2024).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, adults aged 65 and older will make up an increasing share of the American population over the coming decades (U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates & Projections). Entrepreneurs, investors, biotech startups, and scientists are working to create preventive medicines and care, shifting towards not only extending lifespan but also extending healthspan (Scott et al., 2021).
Researchers and entrepreneurs in longevity science have made significant progress. However, few economists are studying how an aging population will influence productivity, consumer behavior, education, entrepreneurship, the workforce, and tax revenues(Allen & Wang, 2023). Increasing faculty positions and establishing dedicated research centers, such as the Stanford Longevity Center and the MIT Anti-Aging Institute, will support the continued growth of the longevity economy.
There is insufficient evidence that longevity-related research is well-coordinated across economics, medicine, public health, business, and public policy departments. Creating interdisciplinary institutes would encourage faculty, scholars, and students to engage in research and entrepreneurial initiatives. It is also important to assess the long-term financial returns of preventive healthcare, clinical effectiveness, new medical technologies, and commercialization strategies.
Universities and leading faculty in economics and finance should recognize longevity economics as an emerging field for research and entrepreneurial activity. Scientific and technological progress has driven sustained economic growth in developed countries, as noted by Nobel laureate Joel Mokyr (Foundation for Economic Education). Expertise in healthy aging, preventive care, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence in healthcare is likely to attract investment, skilled jobs, and innovative companies. For over 200 years, U.S. universities have served as catalysts through research, talent development, and patented technologies National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, 2025). By advancing economics and policy research, top U.S. universities can position the United States as a global leader in the growing longevity industry, which is expected to expand as more people live into their 90s (Scott et al., 2021).
U.S. universities can implement programs such as undergraduate research, graduate fellowships, interdisciplinary courses, and startup competitions focused on longevity economics and business. Early exposure will prepare future economists, policymakers, physicians, entrepreneurs, and investors to lead this emerging industry. This approach will also foster greater collaboration among biotech companies, investment firms, entrepreneurs, and pharmaceutical companies.
Partnerships among universities, government agencies, preventive healthcare systems, longevity biotechnology companies, nonprofit organizations, and venture capital firms would enable faculty, students, and alumni to impact real-world decision-making. These collaborations could provide valuable internships and research opportunities for students. By increasing support for research and interdisciplinary collaboration, U.S. universities can improve public policy, drive economic growth, reduce healthcare costs, and help ensure that longer, healthier lives are accessible to all.
References
Allen, S. G., & Wang, T. (2023). Forever young: where older workers keep on working. Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, 22(4), 490–508. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474747223000021
Biograph Health. (2025). Advanced health tracking and preventive precision medicine. Biograph. https://www.biograph.com/
Boston College Center for Retirement Research. Research and faculty profiles. Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. https://crr.bc.edu/
Coughlin, J. F. (2017). The Longevity Economy: Unlocking the World's Fastest-Growing, Most Misunderstood Market. PublicAffairs. https://agelab.mit.edu/books/the-longevity-economy/
Foundation for Economic Education. (2021). Joel Mokyr on technological progress and economic growth. FEE. https://fee.org/
Golden, S. W. (2022). Stage (Not Age): How to Serve and Connect with the Fastest-Growing, Most Ignored Demographic. Harvard Business Review Press. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/books/stage-not-age
London Business School. (2024). Research & insight: Longevity, workforce dynamics, and the multi-stage life. London Business School. https://www.london.edu/research
MIT AgeLab. (2025). Research topics: Retirement & longevity planning. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://agelab.mit.edu/
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. (2025). Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey. National Science Foundation. https://ncses.nsf.gov/
National Science Foundation. (2025). NSF Academic R&D and Economic Impact Reports. National Science Foundation. https://www.nsf.gov/
Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research. Research overview. Harvard Medical School. https://glennfoundation.org/glenn-center-at-harvard-medical-school/
PR Newswire. (2025). Longevity and biotechnology venture capital investment summary report. Cision PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/
RAND Corporation. Research and labor economics portfolio: Lisa Abraham. RAND. https://www.rand.org/
Scott, A. J. (2024). The Longevity Imperative: How to Build a Healthier and More Productive Society for an Aging World. Basic Books. https://profandrewjscott.com/the-longevity-imperative/
Scott, A. J., Ellison, M., & Sinclair, D. A. (2021). The economic value of targeting aging. Nature Aging, 1(7), 616–623. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-021-00080-0
Sinclair, D. A., & LaPlante, M. D. (2019). Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To. Atria Books. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lifespan/David-A-Sinclair/9781501191978
Stanford Center on Longevity. (2024). About the center & design challenge. Stanford University. https://longevity.stanford.edu/
U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). Demographic trends and population projections for older adults. U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.census.gov/
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. (2024). Academic programs and longevity research. University of Southern California. https://gero.usc.edu/
