How a geroscience approach to viruses like COVID-19 might help more older people survive.
Data from China, Italy, and the United States show clearly that COVID-19 is far more deadly for older adults than for any other age group.
As of March 18, for example, 45% of hospitalizations, 53% of ICU admissions, and 80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 in the U.S., occurred among adults age 65 and older. People over age 85 were even more likely to experience poor outcomes from a case of COVID-19.
Aging immune systems are likely the reason, says Dr. Sean X. Leng, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in an interview with the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR). Leng is a board-certified geriatrician and professor of medicine, molecular microbiology, and immunology. He spoke with AFAR about how immune function declines with age, and how a geroscience approach could help address the problem.
“Even if even one viral particle gets into the airways of an older adult, it may be enough for the virus to survive and grow there because of the decline in immune function,” said Leng.
Geroscience addresses the ability of older adults to fight infections and other diseases by targeting the underlying biology of aging, rather than a specific pathogen, says Leng.
“Even if we develop the best vaccine—the most potent vaccine—in the world, if a person, particularly an older adult, does not respond well or is not able to mount a good immune response, then it really doesn’t matter,” says Leng. “Instead of focusing only on the virus, we really need to focus on the host, on older adults. It’s obvious. If an older adult’s immune system is not working well, no matter what vaccine you give, it’s not going to be able to mount a good immune protection.”
For more information about geroscience and COVID-19, check out the video of a recent AFAR webinar on COVID-19: Can the Science of Aging Move us Forward? Leng and his colleagues discuss early studies of pharmacological approaches designed to strengthen the immune system of older adults.