Course content:
As one of the defining demographic and social transformations of the 21st century, increased
longevity demands new forms of knowledge and preparedness that enable individuals and societies to respond critically and effectively to the challenges and opportunities associated with longer life trajectories. Current approaches to longevity emphasize its multidimensional nature, acknowledging that survival and healthy ageing are the result of dynamic interactions among intrinsic capacity, lifestyle, social conditions, environments, and health systems across the life course. This curricular unit examines the implications of increased longevity for individuals and society, with a focus on the knowledge and skills needed to understand, critically evaluate, and communicate information related to healthy aging and long-term health. The curricular unit addresses life course determinants of longevity, including lifestyle, prevention, and social determinants of health, as well as emerging phenomena such as longevity technologies, anti-aging narratives, multimorbidity, and health inequities. Students will develop competencies in critical appraisal, risk communication, and the design or adaptation of educational and communication resources for specific target populations.
Learning outcomes:
Longevity education is essential for promoting informed choices, healthy ageing, and greater
preparedness for the realities of extended life expectancy. The curricular unit contributes to the
development of transversal competences including cognitive flexibility, problem solving, global and intercultural competence, self-management, communication, digital and technical competence, and teamworking. These competences are fostered through critical appraisal of multidisciplinary evidence, analysis of real-world longevity challenges, reflection on diverse social and cultural contexts of ageing, use of digital and scientific information sources, and the collaborative design of communication or educational resources tailored to specific target populations.
Objectives:
- To reflect on the implications of increased longevity for individuals and society.
- To know the role of lifestyle, prevention, and risk communication in shaping long-term health outcomes.
- To analyze new phenomena arising from the extension of human life and how to respond.
- To critically appraise longevity-related information from scientific, media, commercial, and digital sources.
- To design or adapt a longevity literacy resource, communication material, or educational
intervention for a defined target population.
