The feasibility of predicting longevity in the elderly: conceptual and empirical aspects

The present dissertation is a report of a search process to find out if the level of variance explained typically reported in longevity studies can be increased. Two premises form the rationale of this endeavor: 1. the methods used in most studies of longevity may be improved-upon; 2. the data used to predict longevity in most studies may not be the most appropriate with regard to the target population: those persons indicated as "elderly". In the course of this search process, several new concepts and empirical approaches will prove to be useful. If the search process has a positive outcome,... Mehr ...