Dec 18, 2019
Ira Pastor, ideaXme exponential health ambassador, interviews Mr. George MacGinnis, Challenge Director of the Healthy Ageing Programme at UK Research and Innovation.
Ira Pastor Comments: Over the 20th century, breakthroughs in medicine, public health, and social and economic development have resulted in unparalleled extensions of the human lifespan across the world. This represents a major triumph for humanity, but with it, major challenges have arisen. Globally, we are facing a major demographic shift. The "Silver Tsunami" Today, close to 9% of our 7+ billion people that populate this planet are aged 65 and over. By 2050, this percentage is projected to more than double. The global population of the “octogenarians and above” — people aged 80 and older — is expected to more than triple by 2050, growing to 500 million. At the current pace, even with all the advanced tools available to us, population aging is, needless to say, poised to impose a significant strain on economies, health systems, and social structures worldwide.
On this show, we spend a lot of time highlighting various visionaries and thought leaders that are developing new therapies, technologies, and preventive and social services, that could help transform the way we age and ensure better health, function, and productivity during this period of extended longevity. When I ask the question about the rate limiting steps – it’s not about regulations, it’s not about politics, it’s not about special interest groups – it's all about funding. How then, in this world with amazing pockets of wealth, do we make sure some of it (outside of the traditional life science venture capital and private equity model) begins to get appropriately channeled to support the next generation of breakthroughs in healthy longevity, so that all of us can benefit from the tremendous opportunities it has to offer. George MacGinnis Today I’m honored to be joined by Mr. George MacGinnis, Challenge Director of the Healthy Ageing Programme at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRIis a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization of the UK that directs research and innovation funding, funded through the science budget of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Established in 2018, UKRI works in partnership with universities, research organizations, businesses, charities and government in a mission is to foster research and development within the UK to create a positive "impact", "push the frontiers of human knowledge and understanding", "deliver economic impact" and "create social and cultural impact." Most excitingly, recently Mr. MacGinnis leads the £98 million (US$125 million) research and innovation program supporting the UK Government’s Ageing Society Grand Challenge to ensure that people can enjoy at least 5 extra healthy, independent years of life by 2035, while narrowing the gap between the experience of the richest and poorest. Mr. MacGinnis has a varied background in health and care innovation including recent work on the future capacity needs for the health and social care system in Ireland, a review of the impact on the NHS of Small Business Research Initiative in Healthcare, a review of the MedTech sector for the Academic Health Science Networks, and lead the user group for a global industry alliance to enable a consumer-friendly market for digital wellness and health products and services through standards and accreditation. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Cambridge and King’s College London as well as an MBA from the Open University. On this show we will hear from Mr. MacGinnis: About his background, his interests in engineering, defense and international affairs, and how he segued into healthcare and healthy aging. An introduction to UKRI and the Ageing Society Grand Challenge. A discussion about how these initiatives interface with similar ones on the international stage, such as the U.S. National Academy of Medicine's Healthy Longevity Global Grand Challenge. Credits: Ira Pastor interview video, text, and audio. Follow Ira Pastor on Twitter:@IraSamuelPastor If you liked this interview, be sure to check out ourinterview on the DataBETA Project with Dr. Josh Mitterdolf!
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