**1. Supercentenarians Overview:**
– The term supercentenarian has been in use since 1870 and was popularized by Norris McWhirter in 1976.
– Strauss and Howe further popularized the term in 1991, with a cutoff age of 110 years.
– There are estimated to be 300-450 living supercentenarians worldwide, with countries like the US, Japan, England, France, and Italy having the highest numbers.
– The Gerontology Research Group maintains a list of the oldest living people, with the first verified supercentenarian being Geert Adriaans Boomgaard.
**2. Historical Milestones and Notable Supercentenarians:**
– Jeanne Calment is the oldest verified supercentenarian, and Dutchman Thomas Peters is the earliest accepted by Guinness World Records.
– Margaret Ann Neve was the first verified female supercentenarian, while Jeanne Calment and Jiroemon Kimura are the oldest verified individuals in history.
– The world’s oldest man passed away at 116, according to Columbia University Libraries, and a US-born Spanish woman was confirmed as the world’s oldest living person.
**3. Research and Genetic Studies:**
– Organizations like the Gerontology Research Group and the Supercentenarian Research Foundation conduct research to understand factors contributing to longer life.
– Genome sequencing analysis of Italian supercentenarians in 2021 and genetic studies have provided insights into genetic and environmental factors affecting longevity.
– Studies on semi-supercentenarians’ whole-genome sequencing and genetic variations have revealed secrets to healthy aging practices.
**4. Morbidity and Longevity Discoveries:**
– Supercentenarians remain free of major age-related diseases until the end of life, with about 10% surviving the last 3 months without major illnesses.
– Studies show that certain tissues are protected from aging effects, and genetic variants have been identified that protect against age-related diseases.
– Longevity discoveries include a longevity gene maintaining sharp minds, slow aging of the cerebellum, and low levels of somatic mutations in supercentenarians.
**5. Media Coverage and Global Interest:**
– Guinness World Records tracks the oldest living people globally, with CNN often reporting on the world’s oldest living person.
– The Chicago Tribune and Smithsonian have explored supercentenarians for longevity clues, while the Supercentenarian Research Foundation aims to understand the genetics of extreme longevity.
– Various studies and media outlets highlight the importance of supercentenarians in longevity research and the advancements made in understanding aging genetics.
A supercentenarian, sometimes hyphenated as super-centenarian, is a human who is 110 years or older. This age is achieved by about one in 1,000 centenarians. Supercentenarians typically live a life free of significant age-related diseases until shortly before the maximum human lifespan is reached.