Towards an Evidence-Based Active Ageing Strategy

Abstract

The aspiration of an active, healthy and engaged life is now a reality for many people in European countries because they have a life expectancy among the highest in the world. In 2012, the composite measure of the Active Ageing Index (AAI) was developed in the activities of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. It renewed the focus on the potential of active ageing as a policy strategy for the European as well as other countries globally. The AAI is an analytical tool for policymakers to enable them to devise evidence-informed strategies in promoting active and healthy ageing among older people (Active Ageing Index 2012: Concept, methodology and final results. Geneva: European Centre Vienna, 2013). In 2015, the AAI international seminar “Building an evidence base for active ageing policies: Active Ageing Index and its potential” brought together 150 researchers, civil society representatives, policymakers and other stakeholders, who focussed on how to achieve better active ageing outcomes—measured, for instance, by the AAI. It provided a multidisciplinary forum for those interested in the use of the AAI and other similar research to enhance the knowledge about ageing and older people in Europe and in countries across the world. The AAI seminar was structured around five principal topics, which are the same as five parts of this book, containing chapters on the topics: (I) Use of the AAI for policymaking, (II) Subnational adaptations of the AAI, (III) Comparative analysis of active ageing, (IV) Methodological improvements in measuring active ageing and (V) Use of the AAI in non-EU countries around the world.