Features Interview
r Cassandra Coburn describes her career journey as a series of fortunate coincidences. But whether by happenstance or by design, an interest in healthy longevity, a love of writing and a desire to make a difference shine clearly throughout her career history. After obtaining a PhD in genetics from the Institute of Healthy Ageing at University College London, Coburn became a senior editor at The Lancet Oncology and was later promoted to deputy editor. In 2018, Coburn left The Lancet to write a popular science book, Enough, and work as a freelancer. Just as she was starting to question whether freelancing was her true calling, a perfect opportunity arose for her to utilise her PhD and work in an area of interest. She grabbed it and in 2020 was welcomed back to The Lancet family as the founding editor-in-chief of The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
ORIGINAL PHOTOS: KEVIN OLDING / ILLUSTRATION: SARAH AULD
Healthy longevity The Lancet Healthy Longevity focuses on longevity and healthy ageing research. “People are living longer than ever before, which is worth celebrating,” says Coburn. However, she adds, lifespan is not the only measure of success. “One of the things that we really wanted to explore is: how can we ensure that people have healthy longer lives, as opposed to seeing population health falling off a cliff at some point?” Healthy life expectancy refers to the average number of years an individual can expect to live in good health. Despite its importance, there is insufficient research, focus and investment in this area. Coburn cites the Ageing: Science, Technology and Healthy Living report (bit.ly/3fc4TEo) published in January 2021 by the House of Lords’ Science and Technology Select Committee, which found that “people are living longer, but many of those extra years are spent in poor health.” The report also identified stark inequalities in healthy longevity, weaknesses in the aged care system, and a general lack of planning and investment. Coburn thinks that part of the problem is people’s inability to imagine themselves in their old age – a problem that is all too familiar to actuaries. “We see the idea of old age homes and www.theactuary.com
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Cassandra Coburn talks to Travis Elsum about healthy longevity, diet and sustainability, and how they are connected
MAY 2021 | THE ACTUARY | 13
26/04/2021 15:41
