Centenarians: Human Longevity Outliers
Author(s) -
David W. Smith
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the gerontologist
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1758-5341
pISSN - 0016-9013
DOI - 10.1093/geront/37.2.200
Subject(s) - longevity , outlier , life span , demography , inheritance (genetic algorithm) , population , biology , life expectancy , gerontology , medicine , evolutionary biology , statistics , genetics , mathematics , gene , sociology
This article is about the few humans who reach very old ages--here called "longevity outliers." They are a distinct group, with lower mortality rates than most of the population. Centenarians are human longevity outliers. They are more resistant to causes of death such as heart disease and cancer than those who die at younger ages. Inheritance of life span, the present condition of centenarians, and their causes of death are considered. The maximum human life span in the future will be affected, at least marginally, as more longevity outliers survive to challenge today's maximum of 121 years.
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