Ageing and disease, what is the connection?

Ageing is the primary risk factor for nearly all major chronic diseases, yet biomedical research and healthcare systems remain largely disease-oriented. This focus session aims to shift the perspective from treating age-related diseases to understanding and targeting the ageing process itself. We will present an integrated view of how ageing can be measured and modified across biological systems, from model organisms to humans. Topic 1 will discuss methodologies to quantify ageing and evaluate model systems, including C. elegans, mice, and human cohorts, to identify conserved mechanisms. Topic 2 highlights the growing translational potential of ageing research, emphasising how academic–industry collaborations accelerate the development of therapeutics targeting fundamental ageing pathways. Topic 3 addresses the interplay between genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors as drivers of ageing, identifying which components offer the greatest potential for intervention. Finally, Topic 4 connects these mechanistic and translational insights to clinical practice, offering the geriatric perspective on targeting ageing processes in real-world populations. Together, these contributions underscore that by intervening in the biology of ageing itself, rather than its downstream diseases, we can extend healthspan, compress morbidity, and deliver a paradigm shift in medicine: from disease management to proactive preservation of function and resilience throughout life.