Abstract:

Overviews a two-part symposium devoted to epidemiological issues regarding healthy aging & related policies brought to light in multicountry cross-sectional & longitudinal studies. Presentations in Honolulu highlighted the fact that routinely collected data (eg, census data, demographics, & health & social statistics) are of greatest value in comparing younger & older adult groups, contribute information on selected mortality, & enable international comparisons. In Adelaide, Australia, policy considerations framed discussion of how epidemiological data on health & function, lifestyles, living arrangements, & use of services provide important sources of complementary information. These data help in designing & justifying special medicosocial services for older persons (eg, comprehensive geriatric assessments, hypertension clinics) & confirm the importance of environmental factors in the aging process & the payoff of preventive approaches later in life.