The report offers an important new lens to inform global and national health policy on the biology of aging in the context of the 21^st-century megatrend of aging. It calls for more attention to, further research into and increased leadership for action on the relationship between health innovation and the impact of chronic inflammation and healthier aging.

Aligning with the UN and World Health Organization’s Decade of Healthy Ageing and its focus on integrated care, the report examines how early detection and intervention for chronic inflammation can reduce or reverse damage accrual and lower risk for age-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Chronic inflammatory diseases—such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and axial spondylarthritis (AxSpa)—offer test cases and starting points for this approach. By bringing greater urgency to better monitoring, earlier detection and diagnosis, more effective treatment is likely to follow, with positive effects on the process of aging. Moreover, health systems can seize an important opportunity to underpin healthier aging, especially for women who often face disparities in disease burden and care. This can lead to greater health systems’ preparedness and resilience and therefore better fiscal management.