Introduction to "Discoveries in the Economics of Aging"

The introduction summarizes the 12 economics of aging studies that follow, and how they fit together as part of a larger research agenda. The introduction begins by developing an organizational template for relating the causes, characteristics and consequences of health. It then describes the key motivations, research questions, and results of the 12 studies in this more integrated organizational context. The first three chapters of the volume deal with health measurement and health trends. Chapters 4 and 5 look at the relationships and causal interactions between health and financial circumstances. The next four chapters in the volume consider how other aspects of people's lives affect their health. The last three chapters in the volume look at the potential for innovations, interventions and public policies to improve health and financial wellbeing.