Determinants of healthy ageing: a systematic review of contemporary literature.

Abud, Thais; Kounidas, Georgios; Martin, Kathryn R.; Werth, Martin; Cooper, Kay; Myint, Phyo Kyaw

Abstract

Background: Healthy ageing frameworks have been highly explored. Our objective was to assess existing frameworks for healthy ageing and to identify commonly described factors that can potentially act as determinants of healthy ageing. Methods: We carried out a systematic review by searching five electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, PsychINFO, and CINAHL) from January 2010 to November 2020 to capture contemporary evidence. Eligible studies needed to report a clear framework of healthy ageing in humans, within one or more of three domains (physical, mental/cognitive, social), in English. No restriction was placed on geographical location. Retrospective studies, studies that did not report a framework of healthy ageing, and studies with a focus on diagnostic measures were excluded. Results: Of 3329 identified records, nine studies met our eligibility criteria and were included. Most of the studies were qualitative or cross sectional, and a majority were carried out in Asia, followed by North America, Australia, and Africa. The ten determinants identified for healthy ageing include physical activity, diet, self-awareness, outlook/attitude, life-long learning, faith, social support, financial security, community engagement, and independence. Conclusions: We identified ten determinants of healthy ageing proposed by the contemporary evidence base. There appears to be increasing acknowledgement of the instrumental role of social and mental/cognitive well-being as determinants of healthy ageing. The extent to which each determinant contributes to healthy ageing requires further evaluation.

Citation

ABUD, T., KOUNIDAS, G., MARTIN, K.R., WERTH, M., COOPER, K. and MYINT, P.K. 2022. Determinants of healthy ageing: a systematic review of contemporary literature. Aging clinical and experimental research [online], 34(6), pages 1215-1223. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-021-02049-w

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Dec 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2022
• Publication Date: Jun 30, 2022
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2022
• Journal: Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
• Print ISSN: 1594-0667
• Electronic ISSN: 1720-8319
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1215-1223
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-021-02049-w
• Keywords: Healthy ageing; Determinants; Framework
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1599390
• Additional Information: The accompanying file contains supplementary material of 3 supplementary tables which can be found at the end of the main text.