20th century Quote by S. Jay Olshansky
“The Faustian trade of the 20th century was, we got 30 years of additional life, but in return we got heart disease, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer's and sensory impairments. The question is: What Faustian trade are we making now, as we go after heart disease, cancer, stroke and Alzheimer's?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Health Lecture, 2015
Modern longevity gains have come at the cost of chronic diseases, prompting us to consider current trade‑offs between extending life and preserving health.
In simple terms: Longer lives bring more disease; we must weigh new health risks.
Key Takeaway
Identify and mitigate emerging health trade‑offs.
Themes
health
longevity
trade‑offs
ethics
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- aging research
- pharmaceutical development
- lifestyle interventions
- healthcare budgeting
Key Concepts
Epidemiology
public health policy
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What health trade‑offs are we accepting today?
- How can we balance lifespan extension with disease prevention?
A Different Perspective
The benefits of longer life may be offset by quality‑of‑life declines if new risks aren’t addressed.
