Summary
Australia is experiencing considerable demographic change, particularly as the first cohort of Australia’s baby-boomers reach the age of 65 over the next decade. In 1991, 11% of the population were aged 65 and over (2.0 million) and by 2021 this is projected to increase to 18% (4.2 million) (AIHW 1999:5).
The increasing proportion of older Australians in the population has potentially significant implications for the nation's welfare services and health care system.
Preliminary material: Preface; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations
1. Introduction
- 'Ageing' as an area of research
- Longitudinal studies as part of the evidence base
- The scope and purpose of this report
2. Longitudinal studies and ageing
- Studies included in the overview
- Comparing the studies
3. Comparing methodology
- Sampling
- Cohort design
- Timeframes
- Data collection methods
4. Comparing content
- Key policy themes
- Comparing content by priority policy themes
- Summary
5. Funding longitudinal research into ageing
- Types of funding
- Funding issues in longitudinal research
6. Conclusions
- Main features of longitudinal studies
- Potential for international comparison
- Contribution of this report
Appendixes
- Appendix A Matrix of longitudinal studies relevant to ageing in Australia
- Appendix B English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
- Appendix C Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
- Appendix D Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing
- Appendix E 45 and Up
- Appendix F The Dubbo Study of the Health of the Elderly
- Appendix G Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Healthy Ageing Program
- Appendix H The Sydney Older Persons Study
- Appendix I Healthy Retirement Project
- Appendix J Stories of Ageing
- Appendix K Canberra Longitudinal Study of Ageing
- Appendix L Florey Adelaide Male Aging Study
- Appendix M Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (Health 2000)
- Appendix N A Longitudinal Study of Bone Loss in Men
- Appendix O The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study
- Appendix P Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
- Appendix Q PATH Through Life Project
- Appendix R Negotiating the Life Course
- Appendix S The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey
- Appendix T Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia
- Appendix U AusDiab Follow-up Study
- Appendix V Australian Temperament Project
- Appendix W Growing Up in Australia
- Appendix X Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth
End matter: References