The inherent challenges of classifying senescence—Response

Zhavoronkov questions the timing of our Policy Forum's publication in relation to the release and adoption of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11, but the World Health Organization accepts ICD submissions and updates on a rolling basis across the review and maintenance phases, and it is regularly revised, versioned, and updated (1). Zhavoronkov also posits that senescence cannot be added to ICD without substantial further research. We challenge this view: Given the World Health Organization's decision-making history, classification and staging consensus, development, and submissions to ICD are needed now.