Trends, Trajectories, and Predictors of Healthy Aging

In a rapidly aging world population, healthy aging has come to the forefront as a viable target for maintaining active living in the community, sustaining the health and long-term care system, and alleviating the rising care costs. The key to healthy aging is functioning that encompasses physical, psychological, cognitive, and social aspects. However, more information about the current status and trends in healthy aging globally is needed. The within- and between-country variations in the level of healthy aging will help us to understand how each country is coping to maintain the health of its aging population. In addition, identifying factors that affect healthy aging can lead to developing programs and policies contributing to healthy longevity.

The research questions addressed will include the following:

1) What is the current state of healthy aging in the world?

2) Do the trends and projections of functional status suggest improvements in the aging population's health?

3) Are there distinct trajectories of physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning?

4) What measures, phenotypes, or indices best define healthy aging?

5) What factors influence these trends and trajectories, including sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and biomarkers?

The research topic will include themes such as:

1) The current trends of healthy aging of the population

2) Trajectories of healthy aging at the individual and population levels

3) Cross-national comparisons of healthy aging

4) Risk and protective factors of healthy aging

5) Implications for health program development and health policy-making to promote healthy aging.