The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) is recommended as an evidence-based tool for measuring physical capacity. Instrumented TUG (iTUG) approaches expand classical supervised clinical applications offering the potential of self-assessment for older adults.

This study aimed to evaluate the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of a smartphone-based TUG self-assessment "up&go app."

A total of 52 community-dwelling older adults (>67 years old) were recruited. A validated and medically certified system attached with a belt at the lower back was used as a reference system to validate the "up&go app" algorithm. The participants repeated the TUG 5 times wearing, a smartphone with the "up&go app" in their front trouser pocket and an inertial sensor to test the concurrent validity. A subsample of 37 participants repeated the "up&go app" measurement 2 weeks later to examine the test-retest reliability.

The correlation between the "up&go app" and the reference measurement was r=0.99 for the total test duration and r=0.97 for the 5 single repetitions. Agreement between the 5 repetitions was intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.9 (0.84-0.94). Leaving out the first repetition, the agreement was ICC=0.95 (0.92-0.97). Test-retest agreement had an ICC=0.79 (0.53-0.9).

The duration of 5 repetitions of the TUG test, measured with the pocket-worn "up&go app," was very consistent with the results of a lower-back sensor system, indicating excellent concurrent validity. Participants walked slower in the first round than in the other 4 repetitions within a test run. Test-retest reliability was also excellent. The "up&go app" provides a useful smartphone-based approach to measure 5 repetitions of the TUG. The app could be used by older adults as a self-screening and monitoring tool of physical capacity at home and thereby help to early identify functional limitations and take interventions when necessary.

Age-related declines in physical capabilities often result from decreased lower-limb muscle strength and power, which are measurable through field tests. Various tests can detect functional declines in older adults, but their responsiveness to age-related differences is less understood in those without substantial impairments. Therefore, this study evaluated and compared the ability of field tests to detect age-related changes in physical and muscle function across adulthood.

304 participants (52% female; 19-85 years) completed six field tests: handgrip strength (HGS), maximal gait speed (MGS) over a 10-m course, 5-repetition sit-to-stand power (STSP), timed up and go (TUG), countermovement jump (CMJ), and stair climbing power (SCP). Segmented regression analysis determined the relationship between age and field test performance, and identified the age at which the rate of decline increased. A multilevel linear mixed model compared decline rates between tests.

Before 60 years, SCP and CMJ were responsive to age-related differences (-0.70 to -0.81%/year, p < 0.05), whereas TUG and STSP (lower age-related decline, -0.18% to -0.52%/year, p < 0.05) and HGS and MGS (no significant age-related decline) exhibited lower responsiveness. After 60, most tests (except the STSP) demonstrated increased responsiveness to age-related differences, although these differences remain most pronounced in SCP and CMJ (-1.61 to -1.75%/year, p < 0.05).

These findings imply that most field tests are responsive to age-related declines in physical and/or muscle function after 60. In younger age groups, field tests that evaluate lower-limb power and have minimal ceiling effects, such as SCP and CMJ, should be prioritized.

The older population in Bangladesh is growing rapidly, from 8.0% in 2020 to 22.0% in 2050. However, the determinants of active aging are scarcely known.

The study aimed to assess the determinants influencing the active aging situation in Bangladesh.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 518 older adults aged 60 and over. Following the WHO active aging model, the respondents' socio-demographic, personal, behavioral, and physical environment and health and social services characteristics were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the effect of the determinants on active aging, followed by the bivariate level of analysis.

The determinants of active aging were deeply rooted in the respondents' socio-cultural, economic, and spatial conditions. Nine out of 23 determinants, like marital status, income, decision-making capacity, regular walking/physical exercise, smokeless tobacco consumption, newspaper reading as a leisure activity, use of medicine, and health service accessibility, significantly influence active aging. The active aging score was 10-15% higher among the respondents who regularly adhered to the above determinants.

Effective initiatives are needed to improve the socio-cultural, economic, and health system-related determinants of active aging to enhance the active aging situation. Concerned bodies of the country, ministries, departments, and development partners should take appropriate measures to increase awareness and the participation of people in lifestyle-related determinants to improve the active aging situation in the country.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) are a prevalent complication in elderly patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. Sevoflurane, a commonly used anesthetic, has been associated with cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity. In this study, we aim to explore the mechanisms through which sevoflurane impairs cognitive function in aged mice and hence identify potential therapeutic strategies. Female C57BL/6 J mice were treated with 2-h-daily Environmental enrichment (EE) for 4 weeks before being exposed to single 3% sevoflurane plus 60% oxygen inhalation for 2 h. WHI-P180, a TTBK1 inhibitor, was administered 5 min prior to anesthesia. Cognitive function, TTBK1, Tau p-Ser422, AT8 (Tau p-Ser202/p-Thr205), TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β were measured. The results indicated that sevoflurane inhalation induced cognitive dysfunction, elevated TTBK1 expression and phosphorylated Tau levels, and increased inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of aged mice. However, EE treatment reduced elevated TTBK1, phosphorylated Tau, and inflammatory factor levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, EE alleviated cognitive impairment caused by sevoflurane in aged mice. Furthermore, WHI-P180 mitigated cognitive dysfunction by decreasing Tau phosphorylation and inflammatory cytokine levels in the hippocampus of aged mice. In conclusion, TTBK1 plays a crucial role in cognitive impairment induced by sevoflurane in aged mice, and EE mitigates sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting TTBK1 and Tau protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus of old mice. These findings suggest that EE could be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or treating PND in elderly patients undergoing general surgery with sevoflurane anesthesia.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) aims to improve patients' functioning in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The impact of change in functional independence during PR on subsequent survival has not been established. We aimed to determine functional independence during PR and its association with survival over three years post-PR.

This retrospective cohort study included patients with fibrotic ILD or COPD who participated in a 3-week inpatient PR program. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was assessed at PR entry and discharge. Correlations between FIM and demographics, clinical/functional parameters were analyzed. Time from PR to death/lung transplantation/censoring was assessed, stratified by baseline/changes in FIM above/below the median. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the impact of FIM on mortality risk.

223 patients (76 ILD/147 COPD) were included. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 69 ± 10 for ILD and 67 ± 10 for COPD. FIM total and motor scores improved significantly in both groups. Baseline FIM showed a strong negative and change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD) a strong positive correlation with change in FIM during PR. Each 1-point increase in FIM motor score was associated with a 3 % lower risk of mortality (HR 0.97, 95%CI 0.94-1, p = 0.03).

Inpatient PR improves functional independence in patients with fibrotic ILD or COPD, and baseline and change in FIM are associated with survival up to three years post-PR. This emphasizes the importance of PR for all patients with chronic lung disease regardless of their initial level of independence.

The vigour of our musculature wanes as the years advance, and prognosticating the concomitant trajectories throughout the course of life assumes paramount importance for judicious and timely interventions. In the present study, we aimed to establish age- and sex-specific reference centiles for multiple muscle health metrics and reveal the distributions of these metrics throughout the aging process in the Asian population.

By using cross-sectional pooled data of community dwellers aged 20 years or older in eight cohorts from Taiwan, Japan and Malaysia, normative values for muscle health metrics (calf circumference (cm), relative appendicular skeletal muscle (RASM) (kilogram per square metre), body mass index (BMI)-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass (kilogram/(kilogram per square metre)), handgrip strength (kilogram), five-time chair stand (seconds) and gait speed (metre per second)) in men and women, categorized by age groups, are calculated. The mean values, along with the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles of these muscle health metrics, are also delineated for both sexes.

Among 34 265 (16 164 men, 18 101 women) participants from eight cohorts, calf circumference declined in age groups from 60 years onward. RASM values declined from the 50s in men but were stable in women until the 80s. ASM/BMI values showed declines in older age groups for both sexes. Handgrip strength declined similarly from 40 years of age in both sexes. Five-time chair stand performance declined from the 30s. Gait speed peaked at 1.6 m/s in men in their 50s and then declined, while it declined in women in their 60s. The inflection points for decline differed by metric and sex. The 20th percentile cutoffs for individuals aged 65-69 years were as follows: calf circumference, 33.0 cm (men) and 31.5 cm (women); RASM, 7.0 kg/m2 (men) and 5.5 kg/m2 (women); ASM/BMI, 0.78 kg/(kg/m2) (men) and 0.56 kg/(kg/m2) (women); handgrip strength, 30.4 kg (men) and 18.1 kg (women); five-time chair stand, 9.4 s (men) and 10.0 s (women); and gait speed, 0.9 m/s (both). Those in the fifth percentile of all muscle health metrics faced earlier declines than their 95th percentile counterparts did, highlighting the critical roles in identifying these high-risk groups.

The pooled analysis of eight Asian cohorts clearly outlined the age-related changes in various muscle health metrics, with the inflection point of accelerated decline showing age- and sex-specific characteristics. Defining trajectories of muscle health metrics across life stages facilitates timely interventions to mitigate age-related risks and promote healthy longevity.

Functional dependence on the performance of basic activities of daily living (ADLs) is associated with increased mortality. In this study, the Barthel index and its activities discriminate long-term mortality risk, and whether changes in this index are necessary to adapt it to detect mortality risk is examined.

Longitudinal study, carried out at the Orcasitas Health Center, Madrid (Spain), on the functional dependent population (Barthel ≤ 60). It included 127 people, with a mean age of 86 years (78.7% women and 21.3% men). Functional capacity was assessed using the Barthel index, and this index and each item it contains were analyzed as a test in relation to survival at three years, using tools that evaluate precision, discrimination, and calibration. The date of death was obtained from the health system.

Greater dependency to perform chair-to-bed transfers was associated with an increased mortality risk (HR 2.957; CI 1.678-5.211). Also, individuals with severe (HR 0.492; CI 0.290-0.865) and moderate (HR 0.574; CI 0.355-0.927) ADL dependence had a reduced mortality risk when more independent in chair-to-bed transfers. Among people with moderate ADL dependence, this percentage was 48%. Using dependence-independence for chair-to-bed transfer as a screening test for mortality, the test showed high sensitivity (0.91) and specificity (0.83), a positive likelihood ratio of 5.45, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.11. The area under the ROC curve was 0.814 (CI 0.658-0.970; p = 0.001), with a χ 2 = 0.235; p = 0.889, according to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The concordance C index was 0.814. According to Nagelkerke's R2, the model explained 53.1% of the variance in survival. As a screening test, "chair-to-bed transfer" was superior to the Barthel index.

ADL dependence for chair-to-bed transfers is an independent risk factor for mortality for any level of dependency. Therefore, a new classification of the Barthel index is proposed, in which "being dependent or requiring great assistance to perform chair-to-bed transfers" is considered severe dependence, even when the total score obtained via the Barthel Index is ≥40. We propose its use as a screening test in parallel to the Barthel index. The study suggests that the Barthel Index may have limitations in adequately discriminating mortality risk.

Limited knowledge exists regarding the interrelations between sleep quality and resilience within the demographic of healthy, community-residing middle-aged and older adults, with a particular dearth of information regarding sex-specific associations. This study aimed to examine the sex-specific associations between sleep quality, resilience, and biomarkers in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.

This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2022 Gan-Dau Healthy Longevity Plan survey initiated by the locality-based community hospital, Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital (TMGDH). A total of 770 participants (240 men, 530 women) who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Patient demographic data, including age, education, marital status, and depression level, were also collected. The sex-specific associations between sleep quality and resilience were first examined using multivariate generalized linear models (GLMs). In addition, the associations between sleep quality, resilience, and selected biomarkers were examined using multivariate GLMs.

Approximately 55% of men and 60% of women reported poor sleep quality. Individuals with good sleep quality had significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms ( p = 0.028 for men, p = 0.002 for women) and fewer chronic conditions ( p = 0.002 for men, p < 0.001 for women). Notably, women in the "poor sleep quality" group exhibited higher proportions of low habitual sleep efficiency (women 35.9% vs men 29.8%) and frequent use of sleeping medications (women 23.2% vs men 9.9%) than men. Good sleep quality was associated with better resilience in both men (mean BRS score: good sleep quality = 25.1 [SD: 4.3] vs poor sleep quality = 23.4 [SD: 4.7], p = 0.004) and women (mean BRS score: good sleep quality = 24.3 [SD: 5.1] vs poor sleep quality = 22.3 [SD: 5.4], p < 0.001). After adjusting for depressive symptoms and chronic conditions, this association remained significant for men ( p = 0.022) and women ( p = 0.001). In addition, greater depressive symptoms were associated with poorer resilience in both sexes ( p < 0.001). No significant associations were noted between sleep quality or resilience and the selected biomarkers.

This study highlights the association between sleep quality and resilience in older adults. Good sleep quality is related to better resilience, but greater depressive symptoms are also linked to poorer resilience in both sexes. Nevertheless, the low habitual sleep efficiency and frequent use of sleeping medications in women but not men with poor sleep quality highlight the need to explore sex-specific approaches to address the interplay of sleep quality, resilience, and other factors (such as depressive symptoms) in healthy aging.

We have previously presented a multidimensional Aging Society Index, a weighted summation of five domains central to successful adaptation to societal aging: well-being, productivity and engagement, equity, cohesion and security, as a tool to assess countries' adaptation to demographic transformation. As the index was based on data from developed countries and some of the individual metrics or weightings may not be well suited for application to low- and middle-income countries, we here present the scores on a modified index (Global Aging Society Index) on 143 countries distributed across the span of economic development. Only 5 out of 143 (3.5%) countries had higher scores for women than men. Countries with the most notable gender differences were primarily low-income countries. The multidimensional index permits cross-national comparisons and may facilitate the identification of targets for developing policies and programs to enhance the likelihood that older persons will age successfully.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is a global public-health concern, associated with a considerable burden to individuals, healthcare systems, and society. The objective of this study was to understand different perspectives on the challenges associated with the clinical management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, which could elucidate measures to comprehensively improve clinical care and outcomes.

A survey was carried out of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, their providers, and clinic staff in 77 clinics across 24 countries on six continents, from a diverse range of healthcare systems, settings, and reimbursement models. Surveys comprised a series of single/multiple-response questions completed anonymously. Data gathered included patient personal characteristics, appointment attendance challenges, treatment experiences, and opportunities to improve support. Provider and clinic staff surveys asked similar questions about their perspectives; clinic characteristics were also captured.

There were 6425 responses; 4558 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, 659 providers, and 1208 clinic staff. Challenges identified included concern about patient burden to family/friends, high frequency of treatment, difficulties in traveling to appointments, long waiting times, and insufficient comprehension of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Participants identified logistical (improved financial assistance with treatment and out-of-pocket costs, and appointment reminders), operational (addressing clinic set up to reduce waiting times and improving the amount of time providers spend with patients), and educational (improving quality and provision of patient information and expectation-setting) opportunities to improve care.

The wealth of data generated by this global survey highlights the breadth of challenges associated with clinical management of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Addressing the opportunities raised could improve patient adherence to treatment and potentially outcomes, reduce appointment burden, and increase clinic capacity.

Population aging significantly affects the social, economic, and political landscapes of countries, including their health systems. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework that illustrates the consequences of population aging on the functions and goals of health systems.

This multi-method study consisted of four stages. First, the WHO-2000 framework for health systems was selected after a comprehensive review and consensus. Second, a systematic review identified the impacts of population aging. Third, an initial conceptual framework was designed. Finally, the framework was validated, completed, and finalized through semi-structured interviews.

The study identified 120 concepts related to the consequences of population aging, which were categorized within the functions and goals of the WHO framework. Key consequences for "stewardship" included adapting to demographic changes, modifying system design, and enhancing performance assessment. "Creating resources" faces increased demand, particularly for trained healthcare workers and geriatric care teams. "Financing" requires sustainable resources and strategic purchasing to address the higher healthcare costs associated with an aging population. "Service delivery" needs to focus on meeting the complex needs of older adults. The goals of health systems are also impacted, with implications for improving health outcomes, financial fairness, and responsiveness to non-medical expectations, including a client-oriented approach and respect for vulnerable older adults.

Adopting strategies and policies based on these identified consequences, coupled with effective implementation, will help policymakers manage the impacts of population aging within health systems.

As the global population ages, there is increasing pressure on health systems to provide high-quality and cost-effective care for this growing segment of the population. Reablement, primarily a strategic home-based rehabilitation approach, has been demonstrated to be a cost-effective, multidisciplinary, holistic, and person-centred approach to maintaining functional independence as one ages. Given that care delivery in the home setting for older persons is complex, a key feature of effective implementation of reablement is the integration of a multidisciplinary team.

The primary objective of this study was to identify the facilitators and barriers that lead to successful teamwork in a multidisciplinary reablement team setting.

Scoping review approach was used in this study to determine trends, and mapping themes prevalent in the peer-reviewed literature. Eligible articles were sourced from four electronic databases, and data were extracted, coded, analyzed and chartered in February 2024.

Twenty studies were included in this study. Six main themes were identified: (1) multidisciplinary teamwork for quality service development, (2) dynamics of multidisciplinary collaboration, (3) professional autonomy and reflective practice, (4) towards a flat organizational structure and shared goals, (5) openness and flexibility of developing new cultures, and (6) open and frequent communication for success. Each of the themes can exert a facilitating or/and inhibiting effect depending on the context.

The findings indicate that multidisciplinary teamwork in reablement settings is diverse, complex, and situational. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model that integrates each theme as a way to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of the themes along the quest for greater multidisciplinary teamwork in reablement. Given the positive outcomes of both service consumers and providers, amplification of multidisciplinary teamwork within reablement holds the promise of effective care for older persons in a time of growing service demands.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent carcinogen produced by Aspergillus species, is a prevalent contaminant in oil crops, with prolonged exposure associated with liver damage. Home-made peanut oil (HMPO) produced by small workshops in Guangzhou is heavily contaminated with AFB1. Despite the enactment of the Small Food Workshops Management Regulations (SFWMR), no quantitative assessment has been conducted regarding its impact on food contamination and public health. The study aims to assess the impact of SFWMR on AFB1 contamination in HMPO and liver function in the population.

AFB1 contamination in HMPO were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography and liver function data were obtained from the health center located in a high-HMPO-consumption area in Guangzhou. Interrupted time series and mediation analyses were employed to assess the relationship between the implementation of SFWMR, AFB1 concentrations in HMPO, and liver function among residents.

The AFB1 concentrations in HMPO were 1.29 (0.12, 6.58) μg/kg. The average daily intake of AFB1 through HMPO for Guangzhou residents from 2010 to 2022 ranged from 0.25 to 1.68 ng/kg bw/d, and the Margin of Exposure ranged from 238 to 1,600. The implementation of SFWMR was associated with a significant reduction in AFB1 concentrations in HMPO, showing an immediate decrease of 2.865 μg/kg (P = 0.006) and a sustained annual reduction of 2.593 μg/kg (P = 0.034). Among residents in the high-HMPO-consumption area, the implementation of SFWMR was significantly associated with a reduction in the prevalence of liver function abnormality (PR = 0.650, 95% CI: 0.469-0.902). Subgroup analysis revealed that this reduction was significantly associated with the implementation of SFWMR in the female (PR = 0.484, 95% CI: 0.310-0.755) and in individuals aged ≥ 60 years (PR = 0.586, 95% CI: 0.395-0.868). Mediation analysis demonstrated that AFB1 concentrations in HMPO fully mediated the relationship between the implementation of SFWMR and the liver function abnormality (PR = 0.981, 95% CI: 0.969-0.993).

In Guangzhou, the public health issue arising from AFB1 intake through HMPO warrants attention. The implementation of SFWMR had a positive impact on the improvement of AFB1 contamination in HMPO and the liver function. Continued efforts are necessary to strengthen the enforcement of the regulations. The exposure risks to AFB1 among high-HMPO-consumption groups also demand greater focus.

The aging population, including octogenarians (aged 80-89) and nonagenarians (aged 90-99), is rapidly increasing. Understanding their self-rated health in urban and rural settings is vital for public health policy development. This study examined factors associated with self-rated health among octogenarians and nonagenarians across urban and rural areas of South Korea.

We analyzed data from 21,896 older adults (aged 80-99) from the 2023 Korea Community Health Survey. Self-rated health was assessed on a 5-point scale and categorized as "good" or "poor." Variables included age, residence area (urban/rural), sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, healthcare utilization, morbidity, and social interactions. Descriptive statistics were used to examine variable distributions, and logistic regression models identified factors associated with self-rated health in each age group and residential area.

Among octogenarians, 18.7% in urban areas reported good self-rated health, compared to 15.0% in rural areas. Conversely, a smaller proportion of nonagenarians in urban areas (13.6%) reported good self-rated health than those in rural areas (14.7%). Among octogenarians, having a high school education or higher was associated with better self-rated health compared to those with no formal education (urban OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.39-2.00; rural OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.30-2.14). Furthermore, a monthly household income of 3 million Korean Won (KRW) or more, compared to an income of less than 1 million KRW, was associated with better self-rated health among octogenarians (urban OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.09-1.66; rural OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.19-2.00). The associations between educational level and self-rated health were less pronounced among nonagenarians. Consistently across both age groups and settings, regular walking (OR range: 1.39 [95% CI = 1.21-1.60] for rural octogenarians to 2.17 [95% CI = 1.78-2.64] for urban nonagenarians), good self-rated oral health (OR range: 2.51 [95% CI = 1.96-3.22] for urban nonagenarians to 3.51 [95% CI = 3.01-4.09] for rural octogenarians), and participation in social activities (OR range: 1.23 [95% CI = 1.09-1.41] for urban octogenarians to 1.58 [95% CI = 1.20-2.07] for rural octogenarians) were positively associated with good self-rated health.

Characteristics associated with self-rated health differed significantly between octogenarians and nonagenarians in rural and urban areas. Public health strategies must support health-promoting behaviors such as regular walking, enhance oral health services, improve healthcare accessibility, reduce environmental stressors, and strengthen social support networks to promote health among octogenarians and nonagenarians.

Health-adjusted life expectancy, a measure of healthy longevity, lags longevity gains, resulting in a healthspan-lifespan gap.

To quantify the healthspan-lifespan gap across the globe, investigate for sex disparities, and analyze morbidity and mortality associations.

This retrospective cross-sectional study used the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory as the global data source and acquired national-level data covering all continents. The 183 WHO member states were investigated. Statistical analysis was conducted from January to May 2024.

Data represent 2 decades of longitudinal follow-up.

Changes in life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy, as well as the healthspan-lifespan gap were quantified for all participating member states. Gap assessment was stratified by sex. Correlations of the gap with morbidity and mortality were examined.

The healthspan-lifespan gap has widened globally over the last 2 decades among 183 WHO member states, extending to 9.6 years. A sex difference was observed with women presenting a mean (SD) healthspan-lifespan gap of 2.4 (0.5) years wider than men (P < .001). Healthspan-lifespan gaps were positively associated with the burden of noncommunicable diseases and total morbidity, and negatively with mortality. The US presented the largest healthspan-lifespan gap, amounting to 12.4 years, underpinned by a rise in noncommunicable diseases.

This study identifies growing healthspan-lifespan gaps around the globe, threatening healthy longevity across worldwide populations. Women globally exhibited a larger healthspan-lifespan gap than men.

Yoga-based clinical research has shown considerable promise in varied ageing-related health outcomes in older adults. However, robust frameworks have yet to be used in intervention research to endorse yoga as a healthy ageing intervention to test the multidimensional construct of healthy ageing. This was an assessor-masked, randomized controlled trial conducted among 258 sedentary, community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80 years, randomly allocated to 26-week yoga-based intervention (YBI) (n = 132) or waitlist control (WLC) (n = 126). The effectiveness of YBI was assessed through two separate global statistical tests, generalized estimating equations and rank sum-based test, against a comprehensive healthy aging panel comprised of ten markers representing the domains of physiological and metabolic, cognitive, physical capability, psychological, and social well-being. The secondary outcomes were individual primary marker scores, Klotho, inflammatory markers, and auxiliary blood markers. We could establish the healthy aging effect of the 26-week YBI over WLC using two models of global statistical test (GEE, β = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.20 to 0.38, p < 0.001), and rank sum-based test (β = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.36, p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in direction of benefit at individual levels of all the aging markers. Exploratory evaluation with adopted indices from contemporary clinical trials also validated the potential of YBI for healthy aging; HATICE adapted composite score (mean difference =  - 0.18; 95% CI =  - 0.26 to - 0.09, p < 0.001) and healthy ageing index (mean difference =  - 0.33; 95% CI =  - 0.63 to - 0.02, p = 0.03). The global effect of YBI across multiple ageing-related outcomes provides a proof of concept for further large-scale validation. The findings hold a great translational value given the accelerated pace of population aging across the globe. Trial registration: CTRI/2021/02/031373.

Understanding the interplay between nutrition and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults is crucial amidst the global aging population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore this association, recognizing the growing prevalence of older individuals and the imperative of addressing their health needs for enhanced well-being.

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, relevant studies were identified through electronic database searches and manual screening. Included were studies investigating the relationship between nutritional status, assessed via the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), and OHRQoL in individuals aged 60 years and older. Quality assessment adhered to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) criteria, and statistical analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software Version 3.

Out of 566 initial records, 14 full-text articles were assessed, with 4 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. A consistent association emerged between lower nutritional assessment scores and poor OHRQoL among the older adults. Significant relationships were identified between poor oral health indicators, as measured by GOHAI, and an elevated risk of malnutrition. Particularly noteworthy was the role of negative self-perception of oral health as a significant predictor of nutritional deficits, emphasizing the importance of OHRQoL instruments in complementing clinical measurements.

The findings underscore the predictive capacity of oral health indicators in assessing nutritional well-being in older individuals. Despite previous studies reporting mixed findings, this review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the association between nutrition and OHRQoL, highlighting the significance of addressing oral health concerns to enhance overall nutritional outcomes in the older adult population.

This systematic review and meta-analysis emphasize the significant association between nutrition and OHRQoL among older adults. Highlighting the importance OHRQoL instruments that can complement objective clinical measurements and serve as predictors of malnutrition, particularly among this population. Offering vital insights for stakeholders, policymakers, and public health officials to promote the overall well-being and quality of life of older adults.

This study aimed to explore attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers of primary care physicians (PCPs) toward depression screening in older people.

This cross-sectional study enrolled PCPs from randomly selected representative primary care centers in Bahrain. A self-administered piloted semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection.

We enrolled 248 PCPs in the study (82.3% females, and the mean age = 40 ± 8.7 years). More than half of the participants (54.4%) had a positive attitude toward depression screening in older people. However, only 10.9% of the participants reported systematically screening for this condition without using specific tools for screening in 45.5%. The most reported barriers toward this service are short consultation time (95%), the presence of multiple co-morbidities in this age group (90%), and the absence of guidelines or appropriate training in around 30%. Positive attitudes were significantly higher among older PCPs (p = 0.039), family physician consultants (p = 0.008), those with more than 10 years of work experience (p = 0.024), and those who participated in related educational activities (p = 0.007). Under-screening practice is associated with perceived short consultation time (p = 0.002), insufficient continuous medical education (CME) activities attendance in older people's mental health (p = 0.048) as well as having a general physician's title (p = 0.049). Only the PCPs' job title, Adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.513, 95 C.I [1.225-10.074] and attendance of CME activities, OR = 1.278, 95 C.I [1.098 - 3.192] remained significant when controlled for age and experience.

More training on older people's mental health and provision of screening and management guidelines are priorities to promote older people's mental health in primary care settings.

Increase in life expectancy around the world puts aging societies with all their challenges on the Global Public Health agenda. In Austria, additional years of life gained are not spent in good health, as healthy life expectancy is far below the European average. Using repeated cross-sectional data from three waves of the Austrian Health Interview Survey (2006, 2014 and 2019), including a total of 10,056 participants aged 65 years and above, this study examined the change in self-reported quality-of-life (QoL) over time and explored associated factors. QoL, estimated by domain scores of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, increased over time but decreased with age in all survey waves. Observed mean scores were significantly higher in males than in females in all QoL domains except the social domain but sex differences disappeared in most domains in the multivariable regression analyses. Instead, factors associated with significantly higher QoL scores included younger age, higher socioeconomic status, living in Western Austria and having no chronic conditions. Statistically significant observed sex differences in QoL in the older-aged Austrian population disappeared when adjusting for income and education. Strategies and measures to increase financial capabilities may have a significant impact on QoL and well-being in this age group.

The ageing population, coupled with the desire to age-in-place, highlight the need for programs that target health promotion as a means of maintaining functional ability, autonomy, and independence among community-dwelling older adults. This paper describes the development of the VIeSA intervention, which aimed to model a healthy ageing trajectory, including the identification of the necessary tools and methods, that would allow people older people, in partnership with health and social care professionals, to define personal health-related goals and the actions to achieve them. A key element of the intervention development was the creation of a support tool intended to assist this process.

The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance on developing and evaluating complex interventions was applied in the development of the intervention and of the support tool. A participatory approach was selected, with stakeholders engaged on different occasions to allow the refinement of the intervention and of the support tool. Following the steps and suggested actions in the MRC development phase, the development process was conducted by identifying (1) the evidence base and (2) the theoretical framework and (3) by modelling the process and outcomes of the intervention.

Following a literature review on effective interventions for functional ability, draft 1 of the support tool was designed. Focus groups with stakeholders provided feedback on this draft allowing for its refinement in terms of content, language use, and structure (draft 2). A review of the approaches for health promotion delivery led to further additions to the tool (draft 3) and informed the content of the training of health and social care professionals. After their training, professionals provided feedback on the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of different elements of the intervention. Results suggested that no further major refinement to the intervention or support tool was necessary.

The design and development of the VIeSA intervention using the MRC guidance allowed for a clarity of direction, an optimised content in terms of usefulness and accessibility for all concerned stakeholders, and greater opportunities for its implementation and uptake.

The Pacific Island country of Vanuatu is at the early stages of demographic ageing. The government is yet to develop a strategic approach to optimize the health and wellbeing of older indigenous Vanuatu residents (ni-Vanuatu).

Using policy mapping and semi-structured interviews with 42 ni-Vanuatu, this research aimed to explore the current policy context surrounding ageing in Vanuatu and the priorities of older adults to inform preliminary steps to develop a national response to healthy ageing. Analyses were grounded in the World Health Organization's Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific.

While the national policy context exhibited an indirect commitment to creating an environment conducive to healthy ageing, explicit policy commitments and monitoring indicators were lacking. Older persons reported numerous obstacles to healthy ageing, including financial insecurity, physical and psychological barriers to participation, and lack of community support.

Findings highlighted the need for policymakers and stakeholders to focus preliminary strategic efforts on select components of the Regional Action Plan: evidence generation, advocacy/awareness, financing, community engagement and coordination, and family-centred empowerment. To ensure acceptability and sustainability, it is vital that these leverage existing strengths of traditional community values and the prevailing role of faith and religion in the lives of older ni-Vanuatu.

This project was funded and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO). Outcomes reflect the deliberations of authors and research partners.

We assessed the relationship between social isolation and functional disability in older people.

Comparison of longitudinal cohort studies.

Harmonised longitudinal datasets from the United States, England, European countries, Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong.

Social isolation was operationalised as a composite score with five domains, such as marital status, living alone, and social contact with others. Functional disability was defined as whether the cohort participant had any difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL). In each dataset, we used robust Poisson regression models to obtain the relative risks (RRs) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI). We combined the RRs to synthesize a pooled estimate using meta-analysis with random-effects models.

Overall, the social isolation composite score was not associated with ADL disability (pooled RR = 1.05, 95 % CI [0.97-1.14], n = 40,119). Subgroup analysis suggested social isolation composite score was associated with ADL disability in Asian regions (pooled RR = 1.09, 95 % CI [1.02, 1.16], but not in Western regions (pooled RR = 1.01, 95 % CI [0.96, 1.07]). The relationships between different domains of social isolation and ADL disability were heterogeneous, except that no participation in any social clubs or religious groups was consistently associated with ADL disability (pooled RR = 1.12, 95 % CI [1.04, 1.21]).

Targeting social isolation may prevent decline in functional abilities in older adults, providing an avenue to active and healthy ageing. Nonetheless, interventions tackling social isolation should tailor to the unique cultural and social underpinnings. A limitation of the study is that reverse causality could not be ruled out definitively.

The rapidly ageing world has placed considerable demands on health and social care. To address this, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) have declared action for this decade (2021-2030) to promote healthy ageing. Operationalisation of successful ageing in the oral health context in terms of its dimensions and their interconnectedness was determined.

A citation analysis was conducted following a scoping review to determine oral health's relationship with 5 key dimensions of successful ageing. This included examining the occurrence and co-occurrence amongst dimensions and over time. Specific consideration of citations by country, journal type, and authors through overlay visualisation was performed to map their interconnectedness.

The scoping review identified 263 publications covering 1730 specific terms. There was a growing interest in successful ageing in the oral health context, mostly in the past decade (2010 onwards; 65.8%, 173 publications). The dimension of key consideration was "health and ADLs" (activities of daily living); this dimension appeared in 97.3% of publications (n = 256) and was found earliest to emerge, with the greatest link strengths compared to other dimensions. Country-level variations in citation data were observed, and there was good citation interconnectedness between them. Key oracles for dissemination have been medical rather than dental-specific journals. Amongst authors, there was considerable interconnectedness in the field.

Findings highlight how successful ageing in the oral health context has been studied, with implications for addressing the significance of oral health to older peoples' lives in line with the WHO and UN's agenda. Citation analyses identified the "known unknowns" area for further consideration, and these findings have the potential to inform how dental research may best move forward with the successful ageing agenda to bring about translational impact.

Neuroinflammation is postulated as a potential mechanism underlying postoperative delirium. This study aimed to investigate the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use on postoperative delirium.

We conducted a literature search in electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science, to identify eligible randomized controlled studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium, and the secondary outcomes included pain scores and the amounts of opioid used at 24 h postoperatively. We estimated the effect size through calculating the odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs, as appropriate.

In the analysis of eight studies involving 1,238 participants, the incidence of postoperative delirium was 11% and 19% in the NSAID and control groups, respectively, with a significant reduction in the NSAID group (OR: 0.54, 95% CI [0.38, 0.7], P = 0.0001, I2 = 0%). NSAID use had a significant effect on postoperative pain reduction (MD: -0.75, 95% CI [-1.37, -0.13], P = 0.0172, I2 = 88%). Significant lower postoperative opioid consumption was observed in the NSAID group (MD: -2.88, 95% CI [-3.54, -2.22], P = 0.0000; I2 = 0%).

NSAID administration reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium, severity of pain, and opioid dose used.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive sacrospinous ligament (SSL) fixation of apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in older patients compared to younger patients. Methods: A cohort of 271 older (≥65 years) patients (mean age 71.8 ± 5.2 years) and 60 younger patients (mean age 47.6 ± 7.1 years) with stage III or IV apical POP who underwent SSL fixation by the EnPlace® device was retrospectively analyzed. The age range of older patients was further divided into early old (65-74 y, N = 209), old (75-84 y, N = 58), and late old (>85 y, N = 4). Patient characteristics, surgical safety, and 6-month postoperative outcomes were compared between the four age groups. Results: Duration of surgery and blood loss were similar among all age groups. Most patients (99.4%) were discharged on the day of surgery or the day after. Subjective patient satisfaction rates were high among all patients. Point C measurements at six months postoperatively were less favorable among the younger patients. Furthermore, four (6.7%) younger patients versus six (2.2%) older patients required surgical repair of recurrent apical POP within the follow-up period. Conclusions: The short-term outcomes of minimally invasive SSL fixation suggest that it is a safe and effective procedure for significant apical POP repair among older patients.

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis is a feature of the aging process. Here, we adopted in silico 2D finite element modeling (FEM) for the simulation of diseased ankle joints. We delved into the influence of body weight intensity on the stress distribution caused by subchondral cysts imitating degenerative age-related arthritic changes. Methods: FEM was performed using virtually generated pictorial schemes of the ankle joint skeletal contour. It included a constellation of scenarios with solitary or multiple cysts, or the lack thereof, located centrally, peripherally, or both in the talus and tibia at increased fixed levels of body weight. Results: The modeling showed that the highest stress was in the presence of a solitary central cyst in the talus and two centrally located cysts in the talus and the tibia, with the averaged values of 1.81 ± 0.52 MPa and 1.92 ± 0.55 MPa, respectively; there was a significant increase compared with the 1.24 ± 0.35 MPa in the control condition without cysts. An increase in body weight consistently increased the strain on the ankle joint. In contrast, peripherally located cysts failed to affect the stress distribution significantly. Conclusions: We conclude that subchondral central cysts substantially enhance the stress exerted on the ankle joint and its vicinity with body weight dependence. FEM's ability to predict the location and magnitude of subchondral stress changes when confirmed in clinical trials might help to optimize the management of age-related degenerative joint changes.

Delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) can result in unfavorable outcomes in elderly surgical patients. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve cognitive function, potentially by reducing systemic inflammatory responses. However, there is a lack of supportive data indicating whether PA has a protective effect against dNCR.

To examine the correlation between dNCR and PA, and to further analyze if pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate this relationship.

This study is a prospective nested case-control investigation of elderly patients who had knee replacement surgery. dNCR was defined as a decline in cognitive function compared with baseline by using a battery of neuropsychological tests. PA was assessed with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between PA and dNCR. Mediation analysis was employed to evaluate whether pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate the relationship between them.

A cohort of 152 patients was included, resulting in an incidence rate of dNCR of 23.68%. PA was associated with dNCR after full adjustment [OR = 0.199, (95% CI, 0.061; 0.649), P = 0.007]. Mediation analysis showed that the IL-6 mediated the statistical association between PA and dNCR, with mediation proportions (%) of 77.68 (postoperative concentration of IL-6) or 27.58 (the absolute change in IL-6 before and after surgery).

PA serves as a protective factor against dNCR, possibly through the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations. THE CHINESE CLINICAL TRAIL REGISTRY: : www.http://chictr.org.cn , Registration No. ChiCTR2300070834, Registration date: April 24, 2023.

Overwhelming evidence has shown that aging is a significant risk factor for COVID-19-related hospitalizations, death and other adverse health outcomes. Particular T cell subsets that susceptible to aging and associated with COVID-19 disease severity requires further elucidation. Our study recruited 57 elderly patients with acute COVID-19 and 27 convalescent donors. Adaptive immunity was assessed across the COVID-19 severity spectrum. Patients underwent age-dependent CD4+ T lymphopenia, preferential loss of circulating T follicular regulatory cells (cTfh) subsets including cTfh-em, cTfh-cm, cTfh1, cTfh2, cTfh17 and circulating T follicular regulatory cells (cTfr), which regulated antibody production through different pathways and correlated with COVID-19 severity, were observed. Moreover, vaccination improved cTfh-cm, cTfh2, cTfr proportion and promoted NAb production. In conclusion, the elderly had gone through age-dependent cTfh subsets deficiency, which impeded NAb production and enabled aggravation of COVID-19 to critical illness, whereas SARS-CoV-2 vaccine inoculation helped to rejuvenate cTfh, cTfr and intensify NAb responses.

This study examined how digital literacy moderates the relationship between ageism experiences and social participation among community-dwelling older adults.

Regression analysis of data from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans with 9,920 participants was conducted to identify the association of ageism experiences with social participation in model 1. The moderating effects of digital literacy were examined by adding an interaction term in model 2.

In model 1, both ageism experiences and digital literacy were significant predictors of social participation. However, in model 2, the interaction term of digital literacy rendered the association between ageism experiences and social participation non-significant. Model 2 explained approximately 18.4 % of the total variance in social participation.

By highlighting the importance of digital literacy in increasing social participation among older adults, this study offers valuable insights for interventions aimed at improving digital literacy to promote successful aging in a technology-dependent society.

To analyze the impact of global population aging on cancer epidemiology, with a focus on the incidence and mortality rates among individuals aged 60 years and above.

We utilized open-source data, retrieving population age estimates from the United Nations Population Division website. The GLOBOCAN 2020 database provided estimates for cancer cases and deaths in 2020 and 2040, while the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database supplied estimates of new cancer cases worldwide from 2000 to 2019. Inclusion criteria considered individuals aged 60 years and over, focusing on the top five deadliest cancers. The cohort-component method was employed for population prediction, with age-specific incidence and mortality rates estimated for 2020 used to forecast the cancer burden.

In 2021, the global population aged over 60 years accounted for 13.7%, with Europe/North America and Australia/New Zealand having the highest proportions. The older population is predicted to reach 19.2% by 2040. In 2020, of the 19.3 million new cancer cases worldwide, 64% occurred in individuals aged 60 and above, contributing to 71.3% of cancer-related deaths. The five most common cancer sites were the lung, colorectum, prostate, breast, and stomach. Cancer incidence and deaths are projected to rise significantly among older individuals, reaching 20.7 million new cases and 12.7 million deaths by 2040. Older age, tobacco use, dietary factors, alcohol consumption, and high body mass index (BMI) were identified as major risk factors for various cancers in this demographic.

This study reveals a significant rise in cancer incidence and mortality among the elderly due to global population aging. The urgency for targeted interventions in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment for older individuals is emphasized. Despite acknowledged limitations, these findings contribute valuable insights to inform strategies for managing cancer in the elderly amidst evolving demographic trends.

Given the established association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment was mainly in the older and oldest-old population or people with relatively limited education, this study extends the investigation to community-dwelling middle-to-old age adults in urban communities, emphasizing the need for preventive intervention for muscle health and healthy longevity.

Data of 712 participants from the Gan-Dau Healthy Longevity Plan were retrieved for analysis, and all participants were stratified by age (50-64, 65-74 and 75+ years old). Possible sarcopenia was defined by 2019 consensus report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). This study used four neuropsychological tests for analysis, i.e., Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-SF), Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Verbal fluency (VF) for global and domain-specific cognitive function. Multivariate generalized linear models (GLMs) were employed to investigate the associations between possible sarcopenia and cognitive function in each age-specific groups.

The prevalence of possible sarcopenia increased with age, with 31.8 %, 37.7 %, and 55.6 % in participants aged 5064, 65-74 and, 75+ years, respectively. On the other hand, cognitive performance declined with age. In particular, among participants aged 75+ years with possible sarcopenia, their cognitive performance were poorer than robust counterparts, including MMSE (26.6 [3.4] vs. 27.4 [2.6]), CVTL-SF (total score: 21.5 [5.4] vs. 23.8 [5.5]; 30-second delayed recall: 6.0 [1.7] vs. 6.5 [1.6]), DSST (32.8 [14.3] vs. 41.3 [18.7]), and VF (12.8 [5.1] vs. 14.8 [4.9]). Multivariate generalized linear model indicated that possible sarcopenia was associated with lower MMSE (β: -0.70, p = 0.014) and lower DSST (β: -7.00, p = 0.010) in those aged 50-64 years. Moreover, possible sarcopenia was associated with lower CVLT-SF (total score β:-1.90, p = 0.028), lower DSST (β: -6.45, p < 0.001), and lower VF (β: -1.64, p=0.026) in 75+ years group.

An association exists between possible sarcopenia and cognitive impairment, encompassing global cognition, delayed memory, verbal fluency, and executive function, among community-dwelling adults of mid-to-old age. Future research is warranted to explore the temporal alterations in this association and the potential effects of interventions aimed at fostering healthy longevity.

Malnutrition may result in abnormal biochemical and hematological indices. This planned prespecified analysis investigated the effects of a specialized oral nutritional supplement (ONS) on biochemical and hematological indices in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition. In the Strengthening Health in ELDerly through nutrition (SHIELD) study, 811 older adults aged 65 years and above took part in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study. Participants were randomly allocated to either a complete and balanced specialized ONS (each serving provides 262 kcal, 10.5 g protein, 7.75 µg vitamin D3, and 0.74 g calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate) and dietary counselling (intervention group) or a placebo and dietary counselling (placebo group). Both groups consumed study products twice a day for 180 days. Data were collected at baseline, day 90, and day 180. Blood analysis results at follow-up visits were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance with adjustments for confounders. Overall, when compared with the placebo group, the intervention group showed significantly greater urea (6.0 mmol/L vs. 5.4 mmol/L, p < 0.001), urea to creatinine ratio (4.39 vs. 4.26, p < 0.001), prealbumin (24.9 mg/dL vs. 24.0 mg/dL, p < 0.001), vitamin B12 (480.0 pmol/L vs. 420.1 pmol/L, p < 0.001), and globulin levels (26.8 g/L vs. 26.5 g/L, p = 0.032). The intervention group also had a significantly higher absolute reticulocyte count (62.0 × 103/µL vs. 58.2 × 103/µL, overall p < 0.001) and mean platelet volume (10.0 fL vs. 9.9 fL, overall p = 0.003). Furthermore, significant improvements were seen in total protein at day 90 (71.7 g/L vs. 71.1 g/L, p = 0.017) and in absolute monocyte count at day 90 (0.50 × 103/µL vs. 0.47 × 103/µL, p = 0.009) in the intervention group. In conclusion, daily consumption of a specialized ONS for six months led to significant improvements in biochemical and hematological indices in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition.

The global demographic landscape is experiencing a monumental shift as populations age, driven by advances in healthcare and declining birth rates. This transition underscores the need to prepare the younger generation to navigate and contribute effectively to an aging society. This manuscript comprehensively reviews strategies to equip younger generations with the requisite knowledge, skills, and empathy to support an aging population. This study identifies critical challenges and opportunities in fostering intergenerational solidarity and understanding through an extensive analysis of existing literature and innovative educational programs. The review highlights the importance of early education, community engagement, and policy interventions in bridging the generational divide. Additionally, it explores the role of technology and digital media in facilitating awareness and empathy among young people. Key findings suggest that incorporating aging-related content into educational curricula, promoting volunteerism, and implementing supportive policies can significantly enhance the younger generation's readiness to support an aging society. The manuscript concludes with recommendations for future research and practical steps for educators, policymakers, and community leaders to foster a more inclusive and age-friendly environment. By preparing the younger generation today, we can build a more cohesive and supportive society for tomorrow.

With the conflict between the promise of ageing in health and longevity and the limited availability of health resources and social support, older adults in China inevitably experience anxieties surrounding health risks. This study aims to investigate how older adults perceive the health risks that come with getting older, explore the degree to which health risks affect older adults, and advocate for active engagement in practices for managing health risks.

Using purposive sampling, three districts of Beijing (Xicheng District, Fengtai District, and Daxing District, respectively) were selected for the research. Qualitative semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with 70 community-dwelling older adults who participated in the study. Data were extracted and analyzed based on a thematic framework approach.

Three main themes were identified: (i) the anxieties of older adults concerning health risks in ageing; (ii) the priorities of older adults for health risk management in ageing; (iii) the expectations of older adults for health risk management in ageing. The primary health concerns among older adults included disease incidence and function decline. It was found that basic health management emerged as a critical need for older adults to mitigate health risks. Moreover, it was observed that healthcare support for older adults from familial, institutional, and governmental levels exhibited varying degrees of inadequacy.

The primary source of anxieties among older adults regarding health risks predominantly stems from a perceived sense of health deprivation. It is often compounded by persistent barriers to primary care of priorities in managing health risks among older adults. In addition, the expectations of older adults for health risk management emphasize the necessity for integrated care approaches. Therefore, further research should give priority to the prevention and management of health risks, aim to reduce anxieties, provide integrated care to meet the primary needs and expectations of older adults, and ultimately strive toward the overarching goal of promoting health and longevity.

Health systems globally are unprepared for responding to the needs of aging populations-the majority of whom are women. This is exacerbated by data systems that exclude older women. There is an urgent need to address this gap to ensure policies and services promote healthy aging across the life course.

This longitudinal cohort study aimed to examine the effect of intrinsic capacity (IC) and multimorbidity on the development of new disabilities.

The study utilized data from 1,009 participants without disabilities from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to assess the predictive capability of IC (ranging from 0 to 100) and multimorbidity for incident disability over a 7-year follow-up period.

Both low IC (OR 4.9, 95 % CI 2.1-11.1, p < 0.001) and multimorbidity (OR 4.5, 95 % CI 2.2-9.2, p < 0.001) significantly predicted incident disability over the 7-year period. A one-point increase in IC reduced the risk of incident disability by 10 % (OR 0.9, 95 % CI 0.8-0.9, p < 0.001). Among IC subdomains, both better locomotion (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.94-0.99, p = 0.014) and psychology (OR 0.97, 95 %CI 0.94-1.00, p = 0.049) significantly reduced the risk of incident disability. Rapid declines in IC significantly predicted incident disability (OR 4.1, 95 % CI 1.8-9.3, p = 0.001), whereas the onset of new multimorbidity or changes in the number of chronic conditions did not demonstrate a significant association with incident disability. The interaction terms between IC and multimorbidity, both categorically (low IC * multimorbidity, p = 0.959) and numerically (IC (per point) * multimorbidity, p = 0.660) were all statistically insignificant.

IC exhibited better predictive capacity for 7-year incident disability compared to multimorbidity, so health care services targeting older adults should adopt an integrated care approach that combines both function- and disease-centric strategies.

As people age, there is a natural decline in cognitive functioning and brain structure. However, the relationship between brain function and cognition in older adults is neither straightforward nor uniform. Instead, it is complex, influenced by multiple factors, and can vary considerably from one person to another. Reserve, compensation, and maintenance mechanisms may help explain why some older adults can maintain high levels of performance while others struggle. These mechanisms are often studied concerning memory and executive functions that are particularly sensitive to the effects of aging. However, language abilities can also be affected by age, with changes in production fluency. The impact of brain changes on language abilities needs to be further investigated to understand the dynamics and patterns of aging, especially successful aging. We previously modeled several compensatory profiles of language production and lexical access/retrieval in aging within the Lexical Access and Retrieval in Aging (LARA) model. In the present paper, we propose an extended version of the LARA model, called LARA-Connectivity (LARA-C), incorporating recent evidence on brain connectivity. Finally, we discuss factors that may influence the strategies implemented with aging. The LARA-C model can serve as a framework to understand individual performance and open avenues for possible personalized interventions.

Globally, the rapid aging of the population is predicted to become even more severe in the second half of the 21st century. Thus, it is expected to establish a growing expectation for innovative, non-invasive health indicators and diagnostic methods to support disease prevention, care, and health promotion efforts. In this study, we aimed to establish a new health index and disease diagnosis method by analyzing the minerals and free amino acid components contained in hair shaft. We first evaluated the range of these components in healthy humans and then conducted a comparative analysis of these components in subjects with diabetes, hypertension, androgenetic alopecia, major depressive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. In the statistical analysis, we first used a student's t test to compare the hair components of healthy people and those of patients with various diseases. However, many minerals and free amino acids showed significant differences in all diseases, because the sample size of the healthy group was very large compared to the sample size of the disease group. Therefore, we attempted a comparative analysis based on effect size, which is not affected by differences in sample size. As a result, we were able to narrow down the minerals and free amino acids for all diseases compared to t test analysis. For diabetes, the t test narrowed down the minerals to 15, whereas the effect size measurement narrowed it down to 3 (Cr, Mn, and Hg). For free amino acids, the t test narrowed it down to 15 minerals. By measuring the effect size, we were able to narrow it down to 7 (Gly, His, Lys, Pro, Ser, Thr, and Val). It is also possible to narrow down the minerals and free amino acids in other diseases, and to identify potential health indicators and disease-related components by using effect size.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increasing challenges for human health with an increasingly aging population worldwide, imposing a significant obstacle to the goal of healthy aging. Rapid advancements in our understanding of biological aging process have shed new light on some important insights to aging-related diseases. Although numerous reviews delved into the mechanisms through which biological aging affects CVD and age-related diseases, most of these reviews relied heavily on research related to cellular and molecular processes often observed from animal experiments. Few reviews have provided insights that connect hypotheses regarding the biological aging process with the observed patterns of chronological aging-related impacts on CVD in human populations. The purpose of this review is to highlight some of the major questions in studies of aging-related CVD and provide our perspectives in the context of real-world patterns of CVD with multidimensional information and potential biological insights.