TILDA works with WHO to address knowledge gaps on measurements of ageing

Posted on: 06 November 2023

TILDA, the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing in Ireland is working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to address the lack of consistency across data in measuring healthy ageing globally. The WHO has just released a Special Issue on Measurements of Healthy Ageing in collaboration with the Age and Ageing journal to meet the challenge of knowledge gaps on ageing. The Special Issue aims to help ensure measurement concepts are clearly defined and offer a route to greater harmonization of measurement approaches. Addressing knowledge gaps on measurement, has the potential to change global perception of ageing. By understanding and addressing the unique needs and abilities of older people, societies can progress towards a world where everyone ages with dignity and fulfilment.

Global demographic changes have major implications for health and social care. Collection of longitudinal representative population data is imperative to inform policy, improve practices and inequalities. Harmonised longitudinal data secures international comparisons and preparedness for global challenges including pandemics. TILDA, now in its 17th year, is collaborating with the WHO to establish a global centre for such longitudinal studies. Addressing challenges, which will vary across jurisdictions, will enable collection of informative, harmonised minimum data for national and international benefit. 

Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA was one of four speakers at an event to launch the Special Issue on October 30^th.  She said:

"Trinity College in Ireland is excited to work with WHO to champion systematic collation of comparative data to address extant and future global ageing requirements," noted Regius Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)."

(L to R) Professor Jean-Yves Reginster, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Ageing, Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO, Professor Rowan Harwood, Editor of Age and Ageing, United Kingdom & Co-chair of the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Measurement of Healthy Ageing (TAG4MHA), and Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

Other presentations at the event came from Professor Jean-Yves Reginster, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Ageing, Professor Rowan Harwood, Editor of Age and Ageing, United Kingdom & Co-chair of the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Measurement of Healthy Ageing (TAG4MHA) and Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO.

“Standardizing measures of healthy ageing improves the comparability of data between countries, while also ensuring accuracy and consistency in assessing the health of older persons. The Special Issue on Measurements of Healthy Ageing is more than just a repository of novel research; it also serves as a call for collective action to ensure that the needs and voices of older people are recognized and met in healthcare policies and systems,” explained Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO. “It features the experiences and perspectives of older people from around the globe, presenting a holistic understanding of healthy ageing and inspiring further conversations and research to improve the quality of life of older people.’’

The global demographic shift towards an ageing population (where the number of individuals aged over 60 is expected to double by 2050, reaching nearly 2.1 billion ) presents unique challenges and opportunities. Although people are living longer, the average length of time someone can expect to live in good health has not improved in many countries. This means more people are spending their older years in poor health or with disabilities. The collection of articles in the ‘Special Issue’ addresses the growing need for greater knowledge and understanding about healthy ageing.

TILDA’s Celine De Looze & Joanne Feeney were contributors to the publication. You can read their journal article on assessing cognitive function in longitudinal studies here: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/52/Supplement_4/iv13/7292018), 

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