A quarter-century of detailed health and lifestyle data from 25,639 men and women in Norfolk is being extended to track how the same people age from their 40s into their 90s. This matters because the UK population is growing older, and the major diseases that cause disability in later life—heart disease, cancers, diabetes, arthritis, lung and bowel diseases, and Parkinson's—are not well understood in terms of how lifestyle and biology interact over decades. The study already has detailed information on diet, physical activity, and psychosocial factors collected since 1993, plus blood samples for genetic profiling. By re-examining participants now aged 55 to 94, researchers can measure physical, mental, visual, and hearing function to identify what characterises those who age well versus those who develop disease. If successful, the findings could inform practical interventions—such as changing physical activity or dietary patterns—that prevent disease and improve physical or mental function in older people. The biological data may also reveal underlying mechanisms of disease that lead to new treatments. The work is fundamentally about understanding the processes of healthy ageing so that people can maintain fulfilling lives and active contributions in middle and later life.
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As the population ages, a major challenge is how we can maintain good health and prevent disability so older people can continue having fulfilling lives and making active contributions. To do this, we need to understand what happens when people age, what the major diseases are which affect them and which lead to disability and what we can do to prevent disease and promote good health and function in later life. EPIC-Norfolk is a study of 25,639 men and women aged 40-79 years when it started in 1993 who have contributed detailed information on lifestyle, particularly diet, physical activity, psychosocial factors, and health and who have been followed up to the present. We have already learnt much about how small differences in these factors can influence disease risk and longevity. We wish to continue to follow up this population now aged 55-94 years, to see how their health changes over time. We will be able to examine what characterises individuals who develop conditions such as heart disease, cancers, diabetes, arthritis, lung and bowel diseases and Parkinsons. We will also conduct re-examinations to measure physical, mental, visual and hearing function to identify those who are ageing well and relate these to earlier lifestyles and biological measures. Results will inform the development and testing of interventions, for example, changing physical activity or dietary patterns, that may prevent disease and improve physical or mental function in older people. The detailed biological information from blood samples available in the participants including genetic profiling willl also help us understand the underlying biological mechanisms of disease which may lead to new treatments. This work will help us understand the processes involved in healthy ageing and to understand what we can to promote health and well being in middle and later life.
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