The third in the series of podcasts on compression of morbidity is up at SAGE Crossroads: the "obvious benefits for society it will have are that it will decrease the number of dollars we will need in order to keep people in good care, medical care. If people are going to live longer and in good health, they will prolong their contribution to society. They are not going to use medical services which can be costly. Not only costly in terms of the number of years but because increasingly, medical services are high technology and therefore costly. We are going to decrease the number of years of ill health, but we are going to prolong the number of years that people can potentially contribute to society. The gain for society is double both in terms of less expenses incurred but also prolonging contribution of people to their societies, and I can't think of any negative effects. This what people individually want. They want to live as long as possible but in good health. Old age and longevity in ill health is an empty price. Societies want people in good health so that they will contribute and not incur expenses." Which is essentially the argument for any form of healthy life extension.

Link: http://www.sagecrossroads.net/sagecast56