Editorial: Dawning of a New Age for Longitudinal Cohort Data

Abstract

Population ageing is changing the world in fundamental ways. It is a global phenomenon with profound shortand long-term implications for both macroeconomics and the social wellbeing, and the health and long-term care needs of many nations. However the context and timing of population ageing vary across and within world regions and countries. In particular the industrialized nations became wealthy before they aged significantly, while many of the poorer regions are ageing before they have become significantly industrialized. Meeting the variety of challenges will require significant advance planning and preparation. As longevity increases so will needs of economic security in old age as well as health and long term care. Extending working lives is among the few solutions to this macro problem, beyond increasing taxes, reducing consumption to save more for retirement, or increasing worker productivity. A key nationally representative study in the USA, the National Long Term Care Survey, showed, contrary to informed opinion, that ageing was plastic in that disability in the older population declined by as much as 25 % between 1984–1999. Unfortunately, this very positive trend may not have continued., The long term care costs of Alzheimer’s Disease, one of the most costly diseases in terms of both economics and family wellbeing, will rise significantly along with the rapid growth of the Oldest Old segment of the older population. The extent to which research can find solutions that reduce physical and cognitive disability at older ages will prove a significant factor in how both high and low income countries cope with this fundamental transformation of populations and societies. The National Institute of Aging (NIA) is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the US National Institutes of Health. It leads the federal government in conducting and supporting research on ageing and the health and well-being of older people. The Population Ageing (2013) 6:1–4 DOI 10.1007/s12062-013-9083-2