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The Era of Longevity: Transformation of Aging, Hea The Era of Longevity: Transformation of Aging, Health and Wealth is an expansive, multidisciplinary exploration of how rising life expectancy is reshaping human society, economic structures, healthcare systems, and the future of aging. Written by Dongsheng Chen, founder of Taikang Insurance Group, the book blends demographic theory, economic analysis, business strategy, and reflections from health, finance, and social policy to present a comprehensive framework for understanding and navigating the “longevity era.”
The Era of Longevity
At its core, the book argues that humanity is entering a historic new phase in which low mortality, long life expectancy, low fertility, and a column-shaped age structure become the permanent demographic norm. In this longevity-centered future, aging should not be viewed as a crisis, but as a predictable, stable social equilibrium requiring innovation in health, wealth, work, and social organization. Chen aims to replace anxiety about aging with a forward-looking worldview that embraces health, prosperity, and societal redesign.
The Era of Longevity
What the Book Covers
1. The Concept of the “Era of Longevity”
Chen defines the longevity era as a global demographic shift where:
Life expectancy continues to rise, approaching 100 years.
The population over 65 surpasses 25%.
Fertility remains low long-term.
Societies must adapt economically, medically, and institutionally.
He reframes aging not as decline but as a new normal requiring new systems of health, wealth, and care.
The Era of Longevity
2. A New Worldview for Societies Undergoing Rapid Aging
Chen argues that traditional aging theories—Malthusian fears, population exhaustion, pension pessimism—are outdated.
He calls for a shift from fear-driven thinking to innovation, adaptation, and opportunity, driven by:
Technological transformation (AI, robotics, data economy)
New health systems focused on chronic disease management
Wealth planning over the entire lifespan
Reimagined roles for older adults in work and society
The Era of Longevity
3. Health as the Foundation of Longevity
Chen explains that as people live longer, the economic and medical focus must shift to:
Life-cycle health management
Prevention and chronic disease control
Personalized and patient-centered medical systems
Integration of healthcare, insurance, and eldercare services
The longevity era naturally brings the Era of Health, with large-scale demand for medical services, wellness, and long-term care.
The Era of Longevity
4. Wealth and Financial Security in a 100-Year Life
Longer life means longer financial responsibilities.
Chen argues that people must think in terms of:
Lifetime financial planning
Long-term capital accumulation
Wealth compounding
New pension structures
Integration of financial and social care services
This shift creates the Era of Wealth, requiring innovation in finance, insurance, and investment markets.
The Era of Longevity
5. Rethinking the Elderly: Productivity, Learning, Purpose
A major philosophical contribution of the book is its argument that older adults should not be viewed as dependents, but as a renewed productive force.
Chen discusses:
“Productive aging”: older adults contributing knowledge, experience, creativity
Lifelong learning and new careers after retirement
Transforming eldercare institutions into “spiritual homes” and learning communities
Redefining purpose, family roles, and intergenerational relationships
The Era of Longevity
6. The “Third Demographic Dividend”
Chen proposes a forward-looking economic theory:
Longevity can generate a new cycle of economic growth
by driving advances in technology, healthcare, eldercare, and digital systems.
Unlike the old demographic dividend (youthful labor force), this new dividend arises from:
Massive demand for health services
Innovation in AI, robotics, digital health
Extended productive potential of older adults
The Era of Longevity
7. The “Taikang Plan”: A Real-World Model
The second half of the book documents Taikang’s 25-year effort to build a comprehensive, longevity-focused ecosystem integrating:
Life insurance
Wealth management
Healthcare
Elderly communities
Clinical and social care services
Chen presents Taikang’s “three closed loops”:
Longevity loop – insurance + eldercare
Health loop – medical services + health insurance
Wealth loop – long-term capital + asset management
He offers this “Big Health Industry” model as a blueprint for how businesses can respond creatively and ethically to the longevity era.
The Era of Longevity
Core Message of the Book
Humanity is entering a new demographic epoch—one in which long life is the universal norm.
Instead of seeing aging as crisis, Chen argues we must transform our systems of health, wealth, governance, and community to match this new reality.
The book blends:
social theory
economic forecasting
demographic science
business innovation
policy analysis
philosophical reflections
…all oriented toward building a sustainable, humane, and prosperous longevity society.... |