Age and Fitness of Presidential Candidates

Never before have two leading presidential candidates been so old—and so closely scrutinized for it. With Joe Biden and Donald Trump both well beyond the age of past presidents and most global leaders, concerns about health, stamina, and mental sharpness have moved from the margins to the center of political debate. In this episode, we explore what biology and social science actually say about aging, from the risks of stroke and cognitive decline to research suggesting that power, privilege, and even “super-ager” genetics can extend both lifespan and function. Drawing on expert insight and public moments that fuel anxiety on both sides, the story asks a sobering question: how much do we really understand about aging at the very top—and how much of the fear is scientific, political, or cultural?https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/01/09/heart-attacks-strokes-dementia-can-biden-and-trump-beat-the-odds