POWER 9
Reverse engineering an longevity
by dan buettner
Life expectancy of an american born today averages 78.2 years but this year over 70,000
americans have reached their 100th birthday. what are they doing that the average american
isn't (or won't?)
to answer the question, we teamed up with national Geographic to find the world's longest-lived people and study them. we knew most of the answers lied within their lifestyle and environment (the Danish twin study established than only about 20% how long the
average person lives is determined by genes.) then we worked with a team of demographers
to find pockets of people around the world with the highest life expectancy, or with the
highest proportions of people who reach age 100