Healthy ageing
Investigator
Diana Kuh, University College London
Background
The purpose was to transfer knowledge gained in accessible and timely ways so that end users, working with the scientists, could translate this knowledge into opportunities across life to promote healthy ageing.
Over thirty UK and international members of this network, including cohort investigators, cross-linking methodologists, specialists in biology, psychology and social ageing, and non-academic partners met for two days in March at Goodenough College London for a stimulating set of presentations and discussions.
They agreed the overall structure of programme and work packages and identified project leaders.
Aims and objectives
Our research plan encompassed a series of cross cohort studies and we spent time demonstrating proof of concept through identification and preliminary analyses of comparable data across the nine cohorts.
The cohorts represented the full spectrum of the older population, from the oldest old to the post war baby boomers poised to join its ranks.
How a life course approach can help understand better how to maintain a population that remains healthy and independent for longer was the subject of a recent editorial in the Journal of Gerontology.
Policy implications
We held a series of small meetings to develop the work packages that focus on aspects of capability, wellbeing and the biology of ageing and innovative ways of delivering our knowledge transfer plans.