Dr Sonia Wutzke, The Sax Institute
How can we maintain health and independence as we age? What is the likely effect of obesity on health service use and costs over the next 10 to 20 years? What is the key to healthy ageing for at risk groups?
Australia’s 45 and Up Study, the largest population-based cohort in the Southern Hemisphere is following the health of more than 260,000 men and women aged 45 and over across NSW (about 10% of this age group).
The size and scope of the Study provides an unprecedented framework for understanding causes of disease and progression, the determinants of healthy ageing, use of medications and health and aged care services, and ways to reduce health care costs.
 The Study captures demographic, lifestyle and health information through a brief baseline questionnaire and re-surveys at least every five years. Participants have consented to linkage with routinely maintained databases and registers that hold information about use of health services, disease registration and deaths. The Centre for Health Record linkage ensures ongoing confidential linkage of Study data, which over the next five to seven years will provide an estimated 2,000 new cases each of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer, 2,000 new cases each of myocardial infarction and stroke, over 3000 cases of diabetes mellitus, over 36,000 incident cases of depression and over 6,000 deaths.
The versatility of the 45 and Up Study to provide the answers to almost any research question is supported through a series of sub studies that currently include the collection of biospecimens and physical measures (height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure); an examination of the social, economic and environmental factors that influence health; a skin health study; and a study to help gain a better understanding of what helps retirees better adjust. <www.45andup.org.au/researchunderway.aspx>
The 45 and Up Study is managed by the Sax Institute <www.saxinstitute.org.au> in partnership with Cancer Council NSW, the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NSW Branch), beyond blue: the national depression initiative, NSW Health, the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care and UnitingCare Ageing.
An open resource, researchers and policy agencies are encouraged to apply to use the data. <www.45andup.org.au/applyingtousethestudyresource.aspx>
For further information see
W: www.45andUp.org.au
E: 45andUp@saxinstitute.org.au
P: 1300 45 11 45
|
print version
email this page
