In-depth exploration of health factors affecting the elderly
High quality data ideally needs to be based on repeated unbiased measurements from large ageing population samples around the world. No single database fulfilling all these criteria exists in Europe and to establish such a study is prohibitively expensive. A more efficient approach was taken by the EU-funded CHANCES (Consortium on health and ageing: Network of cohorts in Europe and the United States) project. It set out to combine and integrate ongoing cohort studies to collate data on ageing-related health traits and determinants as well as their socioeconomic implications. Project partners documented, evaluated and harmonised 14 cohorts from Europe and North America. They addressed four major groups of chronic conditions and disabilities: cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, bone fractures and osteoporosis, and dementia. In all, 323 harmonised variables were created. The CHANCES team developed 70 research proposals that resulted in innovative and solid scientific proof of the determinants of healthy ageing in Europe. To date, 46 reports and publications on the relationship between socioeconomic, environmental, lifestyle and nutritional determinants have been produced. Following the analysis of several pilot studies in Greece, Ireland, Poland and Sweden, researchers created a reliable and standardised questionnaire to assess the health of the elderly and ageing-related outcomes. It was designed to enable comparisons and implementation across European countries. The questionnaire can also facilitate the development of health strategies and policies for the elderly at European level. CHANCES delivered strong evidence of the factors affecting major health and disease outcomes in the elderly. It should also improve European public health policy for the elderly and help shape future agendas.
Keywords
Health, elderly, healthy ageing, cohort studies
