Societal Need for Interdisciplinary Ageing Research: An International Alliance of Research Universities “Ageing, Longevity and Health” Stream (IARU-ALH) Position Statement

Abstract

Ageing is a global concern with major social, health, and economic implications. While individual countries seek to develop responses to immediate, pressing needs, international attention and collaboration is required to most effectively address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities an ageing global population presents in the longer term. The Ageing, Longevity and Health stream of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU-ALH) was built on a solid foundation of first-class interdisciplinary research and on innovative outreach and communication centres. This interdisciplinary network conducts projects that span biology, medicine, social sciences, epidemiology, public health, policy, and demography, and actively engages with the public and other societal stakeholders. Here we posit that such international interdisciplinary networks are needed and uniquely placed to address major challenges related to health and ageing and ultimately will produce new understanding and knowledge to promote the awareness of healthy ageing and encourage societal change via novel, science-informed interventions. Global interdisciplinary research presents great potential and opportunities to accelerate our understanding of human ageing and to produce new, more effective solutions to a pressing, complex problem. However, more focused, strategic efforts and investments are required in order to deliver on these potentials and reap maximum benefits for individuals and societies. IARU-ALH members are determined to contribute, in collaboration with others, to delivering on this vision.

Editorial: Longitudinal aging research: Cognition, behavior and neuroscience

“…In addition, we hope that this research area will attract more researchers from related disciplines such as biology, psychology, neurology, psychiatry, and public health. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration will improve our understanding of the complex human aging process and facilitate innovation to support a healthy aging population (Cherbuin et al, 2021).…”

Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap

“…The compromised quality of life in the vulnerable elderly institutes a significant healthspan-lifespan gap, a formidable challenge confronting humanity. Contemporary hurdles across society, science, and medicine in healthspan extension include lack of transdisciplinary synergy, limited interdisciplinary resources dedicated to long-term common goals, and gaps in implementing high-definition science to medical practice in an equitable real world 98,99 . Accordingly, the deployment of integrated personal, communal, and global actions is a stated priority in order to deliver shared benefit across individuals and society-atlarge (Fig.…”

Conceptualizing healthy cognitive aging: the role of time and variability

“…To evaluate this process, attention needs to be given to a range of sub-disciplines within HCA such as those that focus on neuronal structure and function, behavior and social factors which may contribute to dynamic adaptative processes of cognitive health ( National Research Council, 2000 ). When undefined terms are employed across disciplinary boundaries or translated across fields, confusion, misunderstanding, and misinterpretation can occur ( Cherbuin et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, inconsistent definitions can limit the interpretability of results and delay the potential for interdisciplinary research progression ( Quinn et al, 2020 ).…”