[pt] A longevidade populacional representa uma das maiores conquistas da humanidade. No entanto, observa-se que o envelhecimento é recorrentemente tratado com preocupação, sugerindo mais declínios, perdas e obstáculos. Este trabalho explora visões contemporâneas e mais otimistas sobre o envelhecimento e a longevidade populacionais, assim como meios de contribuir para que a velhice seja reconhecida como uma fase da vida que traz também, soluções, progresso e florescimento à sociedade, mais do que apenas desafios insolúveis. Ele parte da premissa de que – a exemplo das contestações lideradas durante a juventude – a geração nascida entre 1945 e 1964, hoje, está à frente de nova mudança: a de ter mais de 50 anos no século XXI. Nesse sentido, busca-se caminhos para a promoção de projetos de vidas longevas com propósito, produtivas e alinhadas com os tempos atuais e futuros. Incorpora-se as ideias de que o design é uma atividade projetual instrumentada para elaborar cursos de ação destinados a mudar realidades existentes em outras preferíveis e que todos somos designers, consequentemente, capazes de projetar novas longevidades. Seu objetivo é ampliar as oportunidades de projetos que valorizem os benefícios da longevidade e sirvam de modelo para novas formas de viver a velhice. Três perspectivas orientam este trabalho: a psicologia positiva, que enfatiza o bem-estar e a felicidade, a teoria do desenvolvimento psicossocial de Erik Erikson, que destaca a generatividade como possibilidade a partir dos 45 anos e a que apresenta o papel do design como agente de transformação. Explora-se temas como idadismo, economia prateada e educação continuada, entre outros que ganham relevância frente à megatendência nomeada de sociedade prateada. / [en] Population longevity stands as one of humanity s greatest achievements. However, aging is often approached with concern, implying more declines and obstacles than advancements. This work explores contemporary, optimistic views on population aging and longevity, aiming to recognize old age as a phase that brings solutions, progress, and flourishing to society. It starts from the premise that the generation born between 1945 and 1964 leads a new change: being over 50 in the 21st century. It seeks pathways to promote purposeful, productive, and contemporary projects for long-lived lives. It embraces the idea that design is instrumental in shaping preferred realities and that we all have the capacity to design new longevities. Its objective is to expand opportunities for projects valuing the benefits of longevity and serving as models for new ways of aging. Three perspectives guide this work: positive psychology, Erik Erikson s psychosocial development theory highlighting generativity from age 50, and the role of design as a transformative agent. It explores themes like ageism, the silver economy, and lifelong learning, relevant in the era of the so-called silver society megatrend.

L’explosion récente du nombre de centenaires dans les pays à faible mortalité n’est pas étrangère à la multiplication des études portant sur la longévité, et plus spécifiquement sur ses déterminants et ses répercussions. Alors que certains tentent de découvrir les gènes pouvant être responsables de la longévité extrême, d’autres s’interrogent sur l’impact social, économique et politique du vieillissement de la population et de l’augmentation de l’espérance de vie ou encore, sur l’existence d’une limite biologique à la vie humaine. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous analysons la situation démographique des centenaires québécois depuis le début du 20e siècle à partir de données agrégées (données de recensement, statistiques de l’état civil, estimations de population). Dans un deuxième temps, nous évaluons la qualité des données québécoises aux grands âges à partir d’une liste nominative des décès de centenaires des générations 1870-1894. Nous nous intéressons entre autres aux trajectoires de mortalité au-delà de cent ans. Finalement, nous analysons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents d’un échantillon de semi-supercentenaires (105 ans et plus) nés entre 1890 et 1900 afin de se prononcer sur la composante familiale de la longévité. Cette thèse se compose de trois articles. Dans le cadre du premier, nous traitons de l’évolution du nombre de centenaires au Québec depuis les années 1920. Sur la base d’indicateurs démographiques tels le ratio de centenaires, les probabilités de survie et l’âge maximal moyen au décès, nous mettons en lumière les progrès remarquables qui ont été réalisés en matière de survie aux grands âges. Nous procédons également à la décomposition des facteurs responsables de l’augmentation du nombre de centenaires au Québec. Ainsi, au sein des facteurs identifiés, l’augmentation de la probabilité de survie de 80 à 100 ans s’inscrit comme principal déterminant de l’accroissement du nombre de centenaires québécois. Le deuxième article traite de la validation des âges au décès des centenaires des générations 1870-1894 d’origine canadienne-française et de confession catholique nés et décédés au Québec. Au terme de ce processus de validation, nous pouvons affirmer que les données québécoises aux grands âges sont d’excellente qualité. Les trajectoires de mortalité des centenaires basées sur les données brutes s’avèrent donc représentatives de la réalité. L’évolution des quotients de mortalité à partir de 100 ans témoigne de la décélération de la mortalité. Autant chez les hommes que chez les femmes, les quotients de mortalité plafonnent aux alentours de 45%. Finalement, dans le cadre du troisième article, nous nous intéressons à la composante familiale de la longévité. Nous comparons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires décédés entre 1995 et 2004 à celle de leurs cohortes de naissance respectives. Les différences de survie entre les frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires sous observation et leur génération « contrôle » s’avèrent statistiquement significatives à un seuil de 0,01%. De plus, les frères, sœurs, pères et mères des semi-supercentenaires ont entre 1,7 (sœurs) et 3 fois (mères) plus de chance d’atteindre 90 ans que les membres de leur cohorte de naissance correspondante. Ainsi, au terme de ces analyses, il ne fait nul doute que la longévité se concentre au sein de certaines familles. / The recent rise in the number of centenarians within low mortality countries has led to multiple studies conducted on longevity, and more specifically on its determinants and repercussions. Some are trying to identify genes that could be responsible for extreme longevity. Others are studying the social, economic and political impact of the rise in life expectancy and population aging, or questioning themselves about the existence of a biological limit to the human life span. In this thesis, we first study the demographic situation of centenarians from Quebec using aggregated data (census data, vital statistics, and population estimations). Then, we evaluate the quality of Quebec data at the oldest ages using the death records of centenarians belonging to the 1870-1894 birth cohorts. We are particularly interested in the mortality trajectories beyond 100 years old. Finally, we analyze the survival of siblings and parents of a semi-supercentenarians (105 years and over) sample in order to assess the familial component of longevity. The thesis is divided into three articles. In the first article, we study the evolution of the centenarian population from the 1920s in Quebec. With demographic indicators such as the centenarian ratio, the survival probabilities and the maximal age at death, we try to demonstrate the remarkable progress realised in old age mortality. We also analyze the determinants of the increase in the number of centenarians in Quebec. Among the factors identified, the improvement in late mortality is the main determinant of the increase of the number of centenarians in Quebec. The second article deals with the validation of the ages at death of French-Canadian centenarians born in Quebec between 1870-1894. The validation results confirm that Quebec data at the highest ages at death are of very good quality. Therefore, the measure of centenarian mortality based on all death records is representative of the true trends. The evolution of age-specific life table death rates beyond 100 years old assesses the mortality deceleration at the highest ages. Among men and women, the death rates reach a plateau at around 45%. Finally, in the third article, we study the familial predisposition for longevity. We compare the survival probabilities of siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians deceased between 1995 and 2004 to those of their birth cohort-matched counterparts. The survival differences between the siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians and their respective birth cohorts are statistically significant at a 0,01% level of significance. The siblings and parents have a 1,7 to 3 times greater probability of survival from age 50 to 90 then members of their respective birth cohorts. These findings support the existence of a substantial familial component to longevity.

L’explosion récente du nombre de centenaires dans les pays à faible mortalité n’est pas étrangère à la multiplication des études portant sur la longévité, et plus spécifiquement sur ses déterminants et ses répercussions. Alors que certains tentent de découvrir les gènes pouvant être responsables de la longévité extrême, d’autres s’interrogent sur l’impact social, économique et politique du vieillissement de la population et de l’augmentation de l’espérance de vie ou encore, sur l’existence d’une limite biologique à la vie humaine. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous analysons la situation démographique des centenaires québécois depuis le début du 20e siècle à partir de données agrégées (données de recensement, statistiques de l’état civil, estimations de population). Dans un deuxième temps, nous évaluons la qualité des données québécoises aux grands âges à partir d’une liste nominative des décès de centenaires des générations 1870-1894. Nous nous intéressons entre autres aux trajectoires de mortalité au-delà de cent ans. Finalement, nous analysons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents d’un échantillon de semi-supercentenaires (105 ans et plus) nés entre 1890 et 1900 afin de se prononcer sur la composante familiale de la longévité. Cette thèse se compose de trois articles. Dans le cadre du premier, nous traitons de l’évolution du nombre de centenaires au Québec depuis les années 1920. Sur la base d’indicateurs démographiques tels le ratio de centenaires, les probabilités de survie et l’âge maximal moyen au décès, nous mettons en lumière les progrès remarquables qui ont été réalisés en matière de survie aux grands âges. Nous procédons également à la décomposition des facteurs responsables de l’augmentation du nombre de centenaires au Québec. Ainsi, au sein des facteurs identifiés, l’augmentation de la probabilité de survie de 80 à 100 ans s’inscrit comme principal déterminant de l’accroissement du nombre de centenaires québécois. Le deuxième article traite de la validation des âges au décès des centenaires des générations 1870-1894 d’origine canadienne-française et de confession catholique nés et décédés au Québec. Au terme de ce processus de validation, nous pouvons affirmer que les données québécoises aux grands âges sont d’excellente qualité. Les trajectoires de mortalité des centenaires basées sur les données brutes s’avèrent donc représentatives de la réalité. L’évolution des quotients de mortalité à partir de 100 ans témoigne de la décélération de la mortalité. Autant chez les hommes que chez les femmes, les quotients de mortalité plafonnent aux alentours de 45%. Finalement, dans le cadre du troisième article, nous nous intéressons à la composante familiale de la longévité. Nous comparons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires décédés entre 1995 et 2004 à celle de leurs cohortes de naissance respectives. Les différences de survie entre les frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires sous observation et leur génération « contrôle » s’avèrent statistiquement significatives à un seuil de 0,01%. De plus, les frères, sœurs, pères et mères des semi-supercentenaires ont entre 1,7 (sœurs) et 3 fois (mères) plus de chance d’atteindre 90 ans que les membres de leur cohorte de naissance correspondante. Ainsi, au terme de ces analyses, il ne fait nul doute que la longévité se concentre au sein de certaines familles. / The recent rise in the number of centenarians within low mortality countries has led to multiple studies conducted on longevity, and more specifically on its determinants and repercussions. Some are trying to identify genes that could be responsible for extreme longevity. Others are studying the social, economic and political impact of the rise in life expectancy and population aging, or questioning themselves about the existence of a biological limit to the human life span. In this thesis, we first study the demographic situation of centenarians from Quebec using aggregated data (census data, vital statistics, and population estimations). Then, we evaluate the quality of Quebec data at the oldest ages using the death records of centenarians belonging to the 1870-1894 birth cohorts. We are particularly interested in the mortality trajectories beyond 100 years old. Finally, we analyze the survival of siblings and parents of a semi-supercentenarians (105 years and over) sample in order to assess the familial component of longevity. The thesis is divided into three articles. In the first article, we study the evolution of the centenarian population from the 1920s in Quebec. With demographic indicators such as the centenarian ratio, the survival probabilities and the maximal age at death, we try to demonstrate the remarkable progress realised in old age mortality. We also analyze the determinants of the increase in the number of centenarians in Quebec. Among the factors identified, the improvement in late mortality is the main determinant of the increase of the number of centenarians in Quebec. The second article deals with the validation of the ages at death of French-Canadian centenarians born in Quebec between 1870-1894. The validation results confirm that Quebec data at the highest ages at death are of very good quality. Therefore, the measure of centenarian mortality based on all death records is representative of the true trends. The evolution of age-specific life table death rates beyond 100 years old assesses the mortality deceleration at the highest ages. Among men and women, the death rates reach a plateau at around 45%. Finally, in the third article, we study the familial predisposition for longevity. We compare the survival probabilities of siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians deceased between 1995 and 2004 to those of their birth cohort-matched counterparts. The survival differences between the siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians and their respective birth cohorts are statistically significant at a 0,01% level of significance. The siblings and parents have a 1,7 to 3 times greater probability of survival from age 50 to 90 then members of their respective birth cohorts. These findings support the existence of a substantial familial component to longevity.

Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor that has prognostic value regarding future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events such as myocardial infarction, strokes, and heart failure. Although death rates due to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, the leading global killer remains CVD and prevalence is still high. Understanding lifestyle contributors associated with aortic stiffness would provide the public with insight into targeting key health-related behaviors. The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association of physical activity, physical function, and dietary quality as independent factors contributing to aortic stiffness in apparently healthy middle aged men. Fifty-two men between the ages of 30 and 59 years were recruited to participate in this study, which required two visits to the Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Aortic stiffness was measured by aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and was not associated with total daily step counts (r=-0.06; P=0.70). However, aortic stiffness was inversely associated with physical function, determined with the sitting-rising test score (r=-0.44; P<0.01) and inversely associated with relative muscular strength, determined with peak handgrip strength in both hands normalized to body mass (r=-0.41; P<0.01). Additionally, aortic stiffness was inversely associated with dietary quality, determined with the Healthy Eating Index score (r=0.51; P<0.01). In conclusion, key health-related behaviors in this study that explained a large percentage of the variation in aortic stiffness were physical function and dietary quality (Adj r²=0.47; SEE=0.634). Hence, optimizing overall musculoskeletal fitness by focusing on strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility in addition to greater adherence to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines are key lifestyle contributors associated with reduced CVD risk in otherwise healthy middle aged men.

本研究透過不同年齡與性別之保戶之壽險商品與年金商品保費淨值比例來做商品間自然避險策略，避免以往只能配適特定年齡商品間自然避險策略的限制，使保險公司能夠對於公司內不同年齡與性別之壽險商品與年金商品投資組合進行避險策略，並藉由壽險商品和年金商品的淨值保費比例來求出最適壽險與年金商品權重來配置商品組合。且使用臺灣實務資料以建構年金商品與壽險商品各自的死亡率模型進行商品間自然避險策略，並觀察在不同生命表限制下，商品間自然避險之最適權重的變化，供未來保險公司決策者在決定如何配置公司內商品間自然避險策略時，可有一量化之參考依據。

Dans un contexte de globalisation des marchés, les partenariats inter-firmes et les joint ventures internationales (JVI) se sont considérablement développés à l’échelle mondiale. La littérature montre qu’en dépit des nombreux avantages offerts aux entreprises, ces stratégies demeurent risquées avec un niveau de performance hétérogène. Dans le cadre de cette recherche doctorale, nous proposons d’étudier l’impact des conditions initiales sur la longévité et les modalités de sortie des joint ventures implantées dans les pays de la Méditerranée. Dans cet objectif, nous avons retenu une perspective holistique en mobilisant trois ensembles de variables : l’environnement de la structure commune, les caractéristiques des partenaires et celles de la joint venture. Ces conditions initiales, prises en compte au moment de la formation de la relation, sont considérées comme des éléments « déstabilisateurs » influençant la durée de la relation partenariale. Afin de déterminer l’influence de ces variables, nous avons construit une base de données, à partir de la presse économique. L’échantillon est constitué de 124 JVI implantées dans huit pays de la région méditerranéenne et créées entre 1996 et 2003. Les analyses statistiques de survie nous ont permis de montrer que le type des JVI (JVI créées par des investissements greenfield ou par acquisition) et le degré de similarité des activités entre le partenaire étranger et la JVI exercent une influence significative sur la longévité. / Inter-firm partnerships and international joint ventures (IJV) have developed significantly at the global scale. Previous studies show that, despite their benefits, these strategies remain risky, with a heterogeneous level of performance. In this doctoral dissertation, we aim to analyze the impact of initial conditions on longevity and exit modes of joint ventures established in Mediterranean countries. For this purpose, we have chosen a holistic approach by using three sets of variables: the environment of the common structure, the characteristics of the partner companies and the characteristics of the joint venture. Such initial conditions, under which IJVs are formed, are considered as "destabilizing" factors influencing the duration of the partnership. In order to determine the influence of these variables, we created a database, relying on the international business press. The sample includes 124 IJVs which were formed between 1996 and 2003 and implemented in eight countries of the Mediterranean region. Survival analysis shows that the type of IJV (created by greenfield investments or by acquisition) and the industry relatedness of an IJV to its foreign parent have a significant influence on longevity.

Parce qu'ils sont constamment en contact avec toutes sortes de microorganismes présents dans leur environnement, les organismes pluricellulaires ont développé un système immunitaire qui leur permet de détecter leur présence et contrôler leur croissance. Les contacts se produisent naturellement au niveau des surfaces de l'animal qui sont exposés à l'environnement extérieur, comme la peau ou les muqueuses. Il existe au minimum deux types d'interactions : dans le premier cas, la présence de l'autre ne cause aucun problème pour chacun, et peut même éventuellement apporter un bénéfice. Dans le second, l'un des partenaires est aggressif envers l'autre, qui doit répondre à cette situation de stress en essayant de préserver son intégrité pour assurer sa survie. Du côté de l'hôte, cette réponse implique le système immunitaire et a généralement pour but de détruire le microorganisme. En utilisant l'insecte drosophila melanogaster comme organisme hôte modèle, j'ai étudié les interactions hôtes - microbes. Dans le cadre d'un premier projet, je me suis interessé aux cellules circulantes de la drosophiles, les plasmatocytes. Nous savions qu'elles sont capables de manifester certaines activités biologiques (sécrétion de cytokine et de facteurs coagulant, phagocytose), mais leur importance dans la résistance aux infections n'a jamais été évaluée. En générant des drosophiles dépourvues de plasmatocytes, j'ai pu montrer que ces cellules sont requises pour assurer la résistance à certaines infections bactériennes systémiques chez l'adulte, dont Staphylococcus aureus et Salmonella typhimurium, mais pas toutes. / Because they are constantly exposed to contact with the various type of microorganisms present in their environment, multicellular organisms have evolved an immune system that allow them to sense their presence and control their growth. Close contact with these microbes naturally occurs in body parts that are exposed to the environment, like external body surfaces and internal mucosa, and at least two diffrerent kind of relations can be described. In the first case both the two parts do not harm the other, eventually allowing the relationship to go for a mutual benefit. In the second case, one part is agressive towards the other and lead it to induce a response to this stressful situation in order to preserve it's integrity and ultimately it's survival. From the host point of view, this response involves the immune system and most frequently aims at the eradication of the microbes. Using the fruitfly drosophila melanogaster as a model for the host side, i was interested in studying host-microbe interactions. A first project i worked on focused on drosophila circulating cells, the plasmatocytes, about which we knew some activities (secretion of cytokines, cloting factors, phagocytosis) but whose functional relevance to resist infection has never been tested. By generating plasmatocytes-depleted flies, I show that these cells are required for the survival of the adult upon some type of systemic bacterial infections, including Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, but not all.

Genetic relationship was analyzed between type traits and longevity measures in dual-purpose cattle. Data from 91 486 Czech Fleckvieh cows first calved between 2003 and 2009 were used. Longevity was defined as the actual number of lactations initiated per cow and also as functional longevity, which incorporated an adjustment to account for variation in voluntary culling based upon milk production. Lifetime performance was defined as cumulative milk production through the 6th parity. All cows were scored for conformation traits during their first lactation. Genetic correlations between these traits and longevity measures were estimated by bivariate analysis using the DMU variance component program package. Type trait heritabilities ranged from 0.30 to 0.59, while heritabilities for longevity and functional longevity were 0.06 and 0.05, respectively. Heritability of lifetime performance was 0.08. Genetic correlations between type traits and longevity measures ranged from low to intermediate values. Genetic correlations of the measured body size traits to the real and functional longevity ranged from ?0.06 to ?0.29, for udder traits from ?0.02 to 0.33, and for foot and leg traits from ?0.03 to 0.17. Genetic correlations between the measured body size traits and lifetime performance ranged from ?0.03 to ?0.30, for udder traits from 0.05 to 0.47, for foot and leg traits from ?0.07 to 0.15. Genetic correlations of composite trait scores for frame, muscularity, feet and legs, and udder with longevity traits ranged from ?0.20 to 0.41 and for lifetime performance ?0.14 to 0.51. The highest genetic correlations between a type trait and functional longevity were for composite udder score (0.25), feet and legs (0.26), and udder depth (0.33), suggesting that these traits could serve as indicators of functional longevity. We conclude that selection based upon easily and inexpensively measured type traits could improve functional longevity of cows as well as lifetime milk production.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito do uso de gonadotrofinas exógenas na indução do estro à puberdade em marrãs, e \"flushing\" alimentar no ciclo estral que antecede a primeira inseminação artificial na vida útil reprodutiva. O experimento foi realizado na Granja Barreiro (Suinocultura Rosetto) Cerqueira César/SP. Foram utilizadas 96 fêmeas da puberdade ao 1° parto, e 68 fêmeas selecionadas das 96 com ordem de parto do primeiro ao sexto para a avaliação associativa com a vida útil reprodutiva. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em um fatorial 2x2 sendo um fator a combinação hormonal H,( 600 UI de eCG e após 72 horas, 2,5 mg de LH porcino) (H) e o estímulo do macho (M). O fator \"flushing\" alimentar correspondeu ao esquema com restrição (R) e o adotado na granja (G). Os tratamentos foram: HR - hormônio e \"flushing\"; HG - hormônio e esquema alimentar da granja; MR - macho e \"flushing\" e MG - macho e esquema alimentar da granja. As informações foram obtidas a partir do banco de dados existente na propriedade onde o experimento foi realizado. As variáveis análisadas foram: número de estros pós-indução, total de nascidos (TN), nascidos vivos (NV), natimortos (NT), mumificados (MM) e intervalo entre partos (ITP). Cinco dias após a aplicação do tratamento hormonal, 31,37% (H) das fêmeas manifestaram características de estro quando comparado ao tratamento M, onde 11,62% apresentaram estro. O tratamento H mostrou maior sincronismo nas manifestações dos estros, diferente do tratamento M que apresentou maior dispersão ao longo dos ciclos. Não houve diferença estatística nas características de primeiro parto entre os tratamentos hormônio e \"flushing\", tanto quanto nas suas interações (P>0,05). Não houve influência dos tratamentos na produtividade dos animais nas diferentes parições (P>0,05). Portanto, apesar do maior sincronismo apresentado pela combinação hormonal em comparação com o estímulo natural somente pela presença do macho, não houve diferenças quanto à produtividade associativa do primeiro parto e demais partos nas características avaliadas. / The present study objective to verify the effect of the use of exogenous gonadotropins in oestrus induction of puberty in gilts, and \"flushing\" feed the estrous cycle before the first artificial insemination in lifetime reproductive. The experiment was conducted at the Granja Barreiro (Swine Rosetto) - Cerqueira César / SP. A total of 96 females from puberty to the 1st delivery, and 68 of the 96 selected females with birth order from first to sixth for assessing association with lifetime reproductive. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial being a combination hormonal factor H (600 IU eCG and after 72 hours, 2.5 mg porcine LH) (H) and the stimulation of the male (M). The factor \"flushing\" food matched the schema constraint (R) and adopted on the farm (G). The treatments were: HR - hormone and \"flushing\"; HG - hormone regimen and feed the farm; MR - male and \"flushing\" and MG - male and feed the farm scheme. The information was obtained from the existing database on the property where the experiment was conducted. The variables analyzed were: number of post-estrus induction, total born (TN) live births (NV), stillbirths (NT), mummified (MM) and calving interval (ITP). Five days after application of the treatment, 31,37% (H) of estrus females showed characteristics when compared to treatment M, where 11,62% showed estrous. The H treatment showed greater synchronization of estrus in the demonstrations, unlike the M treatment with the highest dispersion along the cycles. There was no statistical difference in the characteristics of first birth among hormone treatments and \"flushing\" as well as their interactions (P>0.05). No influence of the treatments on the productivity of animals in different parities (P>0.05). Therefore, despite the higher timing presented by combination hormonal stimulation compared with only natural for the presence of males, there were no differences in yield associative first birth and other birth characteristics evaluated.

Preocupações com o envelhecimento populacional, que cresce rapidamente nos países em desenvolvimento, aliado à intensa degradação do meio ambiente, levaram ao delineamento desta pesquisa. Inicialmente, procurou-se discutir e compreender o processo de envelhecimento individual e populacional, estudando suas teorias: por que e como envelhecemos e alcançamos a longevidade. Destaca-se os fatores associados positivamente à longevidade: restrição alimentar, genética e hereditariedade, hábitos de vida, engajamento social, entre outros. E condicionantes negativos, situações de exposição opostas a estas, dentre as quais a poluição merece destaque pela morbimortalidade a ela associada, podendo encurtar o tempo de vida. Destaca-se a complexidade dos problemas ambientais e a necessidade de romper com o reducionismo, avançando na Saúde Ambiental e seus indicadores. O objetivo do presente estudo foi compreender as possíveis associações entre fatores ambientais e aumento da longevidade humana, segundo a perspectiva de um grupo de longevos ferroviários. Questionário semi-estruturado foi aplicado a uma população mais homogênea de longevos (30 ex-ferroviários aposentados da Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana de Botucatu). Caracterizou-se a vida desses indivíduos e se resgatou a importante história da ferrovia, buscando evidências de associações entre meio ambiente, saúde e longevidade, por intermédio de metodologia qualitativa (Grounded Theory) e quantitativa. Utilizando a Grounded Theory, emergiram três fenômenos, retratados a partir da experiência dos entrevistados: ANIQUILANDO A VIDA, GERANDO VIDA e FALTANDO CONTROLE SOCIAL E DO ESTADO. Esses longevos percebem o aniquilamento atual do meio ambiente, da ferrovia e até da própria vida, desencadeado pela falta de controle social e do Estado, aliado à falta de consciência coletiva, empreendido pelo movimento da ideologia capitalista do lucro a qualquer custo. Percebem que vários fatores influenciam a longevidade, como: conviver em um ambiente harmônico e sem poluição; adotar estilo de vida saudável e sociável; envolver-se com o trabalho e ter renda para se sustentar; ser e estar tranqüilo e feliz; fatores biológicos e genéticos favoráveis. Por meio desta pesquisa, levantam-se três premissas: a complexidade dos fatores associados ao binômio meio-ambiente-longevidade, suas inter-relações, e a necessidade de internalização do meio ambiente no processo de saúde-doença-envelhecimento. Propõem-se nova hipótese nas teorias da longevidade: valorização das funções desempenhadas(VFD). A partir da experiência dos longevos, destacando o papel da memória, denota-se a importância em subsidiar a população idosa a empoderar-se para que possa exigir dos governantes ações mais efetivas no sentido de garantir melhor qualidade de vida. Também é importante empoderá-los para que possam lutar contra a degradação ambiental e da própria vida, contra esta cultura do imediatismo e da etnodesvalorização, em um processo dialético histórico que faz o passado representar a vida (ganhos = trabalho, tempo áureo da ferrovia) e o presente a morte (perdas = degradação ambiental, aniquilamento da ferrovia e ferroviários, doenças). / Concerns with population aging, which grows fast in developing countries, associated with the intense environmental degradation, have led to delineation this research. Initially tried to discuss, and understand individual and population aging process, studying their theories: how and why we age, and reach longevity. Emphasize the factors positively associated to longevity: food restriction, genetics, and heredity, life habits, social engagement, among others. And negative conditioners, situation of exposure opposite to these, especially highlighting pollution because of the morbimortality associated with it, can shorten the life-span. Complexity of environmental problems, and necessity to break up reductionism are outstanding, moving forward in Environmental Health and its indicators. The objective of the current study aim to comprehend the possibility of associating environmental factors with an increase in human longevity, through the perspective of a group of longevity railroaders. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to a homogeneous longevity group (30 retired ex-railroaders from Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana in Botucatu, State of São Paulo). It characterized the lives of these individuals and recovered the importance of railroad history, seeking evidences of associations among environment, health, and longevity through qualitative methodology (Grounded Theory) and quantitative one. Through Grounded Theory, three phenomena emerged, depicted from the experience of the interviewed people: ANNIHILATING LIFE, GENERATING LIFE, and LACKING SOCIAL, AND STATE CONTROL. These longevity individuals detect the current annihilation of the environment, of the railroad, and even of life itself, descending from the lack of social, and State control, allied with lack of a collective conscience, undertaken by the movement of capitalist ideology of profit at any cost. They perceive that various factors have an influence on longevity, such as living in a harmonious environment without pollution, adopting a healthful and sociable lifestyle, involving oneself in work that earns a sustainable income, becoming and staying tranquil and happy; having favorable biological and genetic factors. This research raises three premises: the complexity of factors associated to the binomial environment longevity; their interrelations; and the need to internalize environment in the health-disease-aging process. Suggest a new hypothesis of theory of longevity: Valorization of the Develop Functions (VDF). From the experience of longevity workers, emphasizing memorys role, it denotes the importance of providing the elderly population and empowering them for what they may demand from more effective governmental actions in the sense of guaranteeing a better quality of life. Also it is important to empower them for their struggle against degradation of the environment and own lives, against this culture of immediatism, and ethno devaluation, in a historic dialetic process which makes the past represent life (profits=work, golden age of the railroads) and the present signify death (losses=environmental degradation, annihilation of the railroad and railroaders, diseases).