The "Longevity Map of Romania" research project, conducted for the first time in our country by the Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, continues to identify the areas where Romanians enjoy a longer and healthier life. These include Pardoși, in Buzău County, where longevity has been perpetuated from generation to generation.
The current population of Pardoși is 315, a figure that represents a tenfold reduction from the pre-Revolutionary population. The substantial decline in the population size was initiated following the landslides that occurred in 1977 and 1981. These events prompted a significant number of residents to relocate to neighbouring areas, including Valea Râmnicului and Grebănu.
Nevertheless, those who continue to reside in Pardoși tend to exhibit longevity and sustained health even in advanced age. Approximately 70% of Pardoși's population is over 80 years old, which is a noteworthy proportion in the context of Romania's current demographic profile. At a time when the country's life expectancy is only 76.6 years, ranking 33rd in Europe and 95th in the world, examples such as Pardoși present valuable opportunities for enhancing the quality of life and extending longevity.
The experts from the Scientific Senate are engaged in an analysis of the factors that contribute to the longevity of the Pardoși locals. In this analysis, the traditional lifestyle, constant physical activities and natural nutrition of the locals are taken into account. The life stories of the locals represent a rich source of information for the qualitative phase of the research project. For example, Mr. Nicolae Chiriac comes from a family with several generations of long-lived seniors. His grandfather lived to be 96 years of age, while his parents reached the ages of 90 and 96, respectively.
The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania represents a distinctive approach within the country's scientific landscape. It has facilitated the revelation of longevity secrets in specific regions and the pursuit of solutions for the promotion of healthy and active ageing among the Romanian population. Consequently, for the first time in a scientifically based initiative, all Romanian localities have been mapped and comprehensive data on the longevity profiles of seniors have been collated.
The Scientific Senate's expert team is currently engaged in the qualitative research phase of the project. The final results and conclusions of the research, entitled "Longevity Map of Romania", will be presented in October at an event organised at the Romanian Academy.
