Your Social Connections May Help You Live Longer

“Part of what I found were cultural norms that view the second half of life as being as important and even more important than the first half of life, in terms of what you can do for yourself and for society,“ said Ken Stern, in conversation with host Jane Trombley.

Ken, author of Healthy to 100: How Strong Ties Lead to Long Lives (link in notes, below) explored the “culture of longevity” in Asia — Singapore, Korea, and Japan — as well as communities in Spain and Italy. 

An expression of those cultural norms, he noted, was found in Singapore, where “they view social connection and social health as being critical parts of public health,” with an emphasis on multigenerational housing predicated on the importance of family ties. 

 In Korea, he explored the cultural importance of lifelong learning, codified in the national constitution in 1990. In Japan, Ken found the creation of “ essentially a second work culture for older workers that's much less about prestige, and more about finding work that brings you into contact with other people.”

Ken is a gifted storyteller, bringing each region to life in the context of what contributes to healthy and engaged aging — social connections built around housing, employment, lifelong learning, and a rich community life.  

Links: 

Ken’s most recent book: 

Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives

 “I’m 62. Stop Telling Me I’m Old” by Ken Stern

 New York Times, Opinion Nov. 27, 2025

The Longevity Project

Ken Stern, Founder and Chair

Stanford Center on Longevity

Stanford University

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