The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania has made a significant contribution to the field of longevity research with the launch of the transdisciplinary project, "Longevity Map of Romania." The event, held at the Romanian Academy Library, brought together academics, doctors, longevity experts, and specialists from various fields interested in the study of the longevity phenomenon in Romania. Among the attendees was Nicoleta Pauliuc, Chairwoman of the Romanian Senate's Committee for Defense, Public Order, and National Security, who emphasized in her speech that "longevity is not only a challenge for the medical system, but also a national security issue."
At the conference, participants, including Victor Voicu and Gabriel Prada, underscored the significance of integrating research outcomes into national strategies. Victor Voicu, president of the Romanian Academy's Medical Sciences Section, posited that longevity is contingent upon a harmonious interplay between genetics and the external environment, with a pivotal role assigned to lifestyle, which can be shaped by judicious public policies. He observed, "God endowed us with 30-40%. The remainder is shaped by our lifestyle."
The research project, entitled "Longevity Map of Romania," represents a pioneering effort at the national level, proposing a sophisticated approach to the phenomenon of longevity. The study employs a quantitative and qualitative analysis of senior citizens in Romania, providing essential data on their regional and numerical distribution. During the event, the interactive platform hartalongevitatii.ro was also launched, offering valuable information, including the top five localities in the country with the highest percentage of longevity seniors, as well as the top three localities in each county, which highlight the distribution of these populations at the national level.
From a qualitative perspective, the research aims to identify the genetic, socio-anthropological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity. This will result in the delineation of the profile of a "blue zone" of longevity in Romania. The sample of the analyzed population originates from rural areas situated in hilly or sub-mountainous regions and was born between 1928 and 1944. These communities, situated in remote locations, have maintained a lifestyle characterized by agricultural work, a diet based on locally sourced resources, and sustained physical activity, without addictive behaviors.
Dr. Nicole Thomas, who supervised the genetic testing, presented a summary of the analyses for the 21 patients aged 85 to 95. The screening of longevity biomarkers demonstrated that the test values of the seniors participating in the study are within normal parameters and do not indicate the presence of diseases associated with aging.
The conference, entitled "Longevity Map of Romania," was attended by Dr. Waclaw Kroczek, representative of the Gerontology Research Group, which is renowned for its research on the supercentenarian population. The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania is affiliated with the Gerontology Research Group, an organization devoted to the investigation of exceptional longevity and the scientific substantiation of supercentenarians across the globe. During the event, Dr. Kroczek delineated the global and Romanian regions where the majority of supercentenarians reside, thereby substantiating the existence of these communities of individuals who have surpassed the age of 110.
"The study of longevity phenomena is essential for understanding the mechanisms that allow us to live longer and healthier lives. Populations of supercentenarians represent a genuine opportunity to gain insight into the future of human longevity," stated Dr. Waclaw Kroczek.
The determination of biological age on a genetic basis is an ongoing process that will serve to complement the final research report, thereby providing a comprehensive perspective on longevity in Romania. The data obtained from the study can make a valuable contribution to global longevity research, thereby establishing the Longevity Map of Romania as a significant addition to the international research landscape. The study may elucidate distinctive characteristics of Romanian populations analogous to those observed in globally acknowledged "blue" regions.
This innovative project, undertaken by the Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, makes a significant contribution to our understanding of longevity and to the identification of the most important variables influencing life expectancy in Romania. It provides a valuable resource for specialists in the field.
