Longevity · Foundations
Healthy ageing
Healthy ageing is about keeping the ability to do what you value as you get older. What the WHO means by it and which factors support it.
Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated
What it means
The WHO defines healthy ageing as developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. The focus is on function — mobility, independence, relationships, learning — rather than on the absence of any disease.
What supports it
According to the WHO, behaviours throughout life such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity and not using tobacco help reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and improve physical and mental capacity. Supportive environments also matter.
Common health conditions with age
The WHO lists hearing loss, cataracts, back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia among common conditions in older age, and notes that people often have several at the same time. Regular checkups help identify these early.
Factors that can affect the result
- Physical activity
- Nutrition
- Not smoking
- Hearing and vision
- Social connection
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