Healthy ageing: Evidence that improvement is possible at every age

Fighting against risk factors for disability and dependency throughout the whole life process and - more specifically relevant to this paper - during the second part of life, needs to become a core focus of adult public health actions. In order to engage positive actions towards this goal, it is important to identify and target modifiable risk factors. One would imagine that it is always possible to positively modify “intermediate” risk factors, such as health habits (sedentary lifestyle and diet), health behaviours (alcohol consumption, smoking or other addictions…), as well as living and working conditions, and access to healthcare. However, the simplest interventions of all could target “proximal” risk factors that closely relate to disease and disability, such as hypertension, metabolic disorders (malnutrition and diabetes), mood and cognitive impairments, musculoskeletal disorders, inappropriate drug prescriptions and frailty. A careful review of the world literature allows to identify the most effective and efficient medical interventions allowing to prevent or delay these disabling clinical conditions and allow to reach the WHO goal of “healthy ageing”, which is developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.