Evolutionary, Biosocial, and Cross-cultural Perspectives on the Variability in Human Biological Aging

Because of our traditional emphasis on evolutionary processes and the causes of variability, human biologists have contributed to the understanding of variability in human biological aging. The shared interests of human characterized by increased phenotypic variation in later stages of life and by reduced adaptive capacity. The papers in this issue illustrate the unique blend of evolutionary, biosocial, and cross-cultural perspectives used by human biologists to study the variation in biological aging. The papers present examples of common methodological paradigms such as theoretical/mathematical models, epidemiological studies, natural experiments, and studies of isolated foci of diseases. The principles of human adaptability and the premises of the life-course perspective may provide the foundation for a conceptual framework that integrates the study of biological, behavioral, and social aspects of human aging. Human biologists can play an important role in refining the theoretical and methodological tools that will be needed to understand the variability in human aging in populations throughout the world.