What Makes for Healthy Ageing in the Torres Strait?

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Indigenous Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Research on healthy ageing often overlooks factors contributing to positive ageing.
• Few studies have specifically investigated healthy ageing among First Nations peoples.
• This study addresses a gap by examining healthy ageing indicators in the Torres Strait region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify indicators associated with healthy ageing in First Nations people in the Torres Strait.
• To develop and apply a Torres Strait Healthy Ageing Index.
• To understand factors promoting healthy ageing in this specific population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Torres Strait Dementia Prevalence Study (2015-2018) with 249 participants.
• Developed a 10-indicator Torres Strait Healthy Ageing Index, with higher scores indicating healthier ageing.
• Assessed the index in a subset of participants aged 70 years and older.

Main Results:

• While younger individuals had higher scores, a significant proportion of older participants (≥70 years) demonstrated healthy ageing.
• 44% of older participants scored 7-8, and 28% scored 9-10 on the healthy ageing index.
• Higher education, absence of vascular risk factors and stroke, optimal medication prescribing, and geographic location were linked to better healthy ageing scores.

Conclusions:

• Many older First Nations residents in the Torres Strait are ageing healthily based on available indicators.
• Stroke prevention emerged as a critical factor for healthy ageing in this population.
• Further prospective population studies are recommended to deepen understanding and promote healthy ageing among First Nations peoples.