Publications on Healthy Ageing
Scientific article
Redefining cognitive testing: the impact of cognitive reserve and sex from early to late adulthood
Frontiers in Psychology • 2026 • Vol. 17
Abstract
Objectives: Italy, one of the world’s super-aged societies, faces profound demographic transformations amid relevant regional disparities in sociodemographic trends, institutional structures, and economic conditions. These features make it an ideal laboratory to study both the challenges and opportunities of population aging. This article introduces Age-It, a Research Program designed to leverage Italy’s position at the forefront of global aging to advance transdisciplinary research and inform evidence-based policies and practices on aging.
Methods: Age-It adopts a life course perspective encompassing individual, family, and societal levels. It conceptualizes “aging well” as the outcome of multi-agent, multi-context processes unfolding from early life through old age. Furthermore, Age-It moves beyond a multidisciplinary approach by fostering true cross-fertilization between biomedical, sociodemographic, and technological sciences. Structured as an umbrella initiative, the program brings together multiple interlinked projects that address diverse dimensions of aging through transdisciplinary and collaborative research.
Results: The program addresses key limitations in Italy’s current aging research and policy landscape: fragmented data, disciplinary silos, and weak connections between research and policymaking. By integrating biomedical, technological, and socioeconomic perspectives into structured, theory-driven research centers (Spokes), Age-It provides a coordinated and innovative platform for studying aging.
Discussion: Leveraging Italy’s unique demographic profile and internal heterogeneity, Age-It promotes sustainable aging by harnessing the opportunities embedded in demographic change. The program ranges from the biology of aging to mental and physical health prevention, long-term care, labor market dynamics, and social participation—ultimately aiming to reshape how aging is perceived and managed in aging societies.
Scientific article
Mapping social health and dementia risk: A register-based study of older adults in Finland
Social Science & Medicine • 2026 • Vol. 398, Article 119154
Abstract
This study investigates the role of individual and area-level social health factors in shaping geographic variation in dementia incidence among older adults in Finland. Using nationwide register data on all individuals born between 1935 and 1939 and residing in Finland in 2015 (N = 185,712), we estimate cumulative dementia incidence over a four-year follow-up period (2016-2019). To reduce compositional bias in geographical comparison, we applied Matching on poset-based Average Rank for Multiple Treatments (MARMoT), a non-parametric matching approach that balances observed individual level characteristics across municipalities. Spatial scan statistics were then used to identify geographic clusters of excess dementia incidence considering municipality-level contextual measures after adjustment for individual-level characteristics. Before MARMoT adjustment, several contiguous clusters of elevated dementia incidence were identified, particularly in eastern and southern Finland, with the highest risk cluster exhibiting a 36% higher incidence than the rest of the country. After balancing individual-level characteristics, some clusters attenuated, whereas others persisted or newly emerged, suggesting a confounding role of individual characteristics in the relationship between dementia incidence and place of residence. Excess incidence remained in parts of eastern Finland (21% - 51% excess risk) and emerged in west-central municipalities (27% excess risk). The inclusion of municipality-level indicators did not substantially alter these patterns. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for social health and socio-demographic composition in spatial analysis of dementia and demonstrate the value of integrating matching-based and spatial methods to distinguish compositional from contextual disparities in ageing societies.
Scientific article
Aging well in an aging society: Italy at the forefront of global aging and the Age-It Research Program
The Journals of Gerontology: Series B • 2025 • Vol. 80, pp. S99–S109
Abstract
Objectives: Italy, one of the world’s super-aged societies, faces profound demographic transformations amid relevant regional disparities in sociodemographic trends, institutional structures, and economic conditions. These features make it an ideal laboratory to study both the challenges and opportunities of population aging. This article introduces Age-It, a Research Program designed to leverage Italy’s position at the forefront of global aging to advance transdisciplinary research and inform evidence-based policies and practices on aging.
Methods: Age-It adopts a life course perspective encompassing individual, family, and societal levels. It conceptualizes “aging well” as the outcome of multi-agent, multi-context processes unfolding from early life through old age. Furthermore, Age-It moves beyond a multidisciplinary approach by fostering true cross-fertilization between biomedical, sociodemographic, and technological sciences. Structured as an umbrella initiative, the program brings together multiple interlinked projects that address diverse dimensions of aging through transdisciplinary and collaborative research.
Results: The program addresses key limitations in Italy’s current aging research and policy landscape: fragmented data, disciplinary silos, and weak connections between research and policymaking. By integrating biomedical, technological, and socioeconomic perspectives into structured, theory-driven research centers (Spokes), Age-It provides a coordinated and innovative platform for studying aging.
Discussion: Leveraging Italy’s unique demographic profile and internal heterogeneity, Age-It promotes sustainable aging by harnessing the opportunities embedded in demographic change. The program ranges from the biology of aging to mental and physical health prevention, long-term care, labor market dynamics, and social participation—ultimately aiming to reshape how aging is perceived and managed in aging societies.
Scientific article
Multidimensional determinants of active and healthy aging trajectories: a position paper from the Age-It Research Program
The Journals of Gerontology: Series B • 2025 • Vol. 80, pp. S145-S157
Abstract
Objectives: This position paper presents perspectives from Spoke 4 (Trajectories for Active and Healthy Aging) of the Age-It Research Program, which adopts a One Health perspective to examine the interplay of cognitive, behavioral, nutritional, social, and environmental determinants of aging. Addressing these multidimensional factors is crucial to promoting health, independence, and well-being across the life course.
Methods: We reviewed evidence on lifelong determinants of aging, including physical activity, nutrition, mental engagement, and social participation, alongside emerging digital health solutions. The One Health framework guided our analysis, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual, societal, and environmental influences. Spoke 4 integrates multidisciplinary expertise to translate scientific knowledge into practical tools for communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
Results: Evidence shows that sustained engagement in physical activity, cognitively stimulating activities, and strong social networks supports resilience, reduces frailty, and preserves independence. Tailored nutritional strategies further enhance functional capacity. Digital technologies—such as mobile apps, wearable devices, and online platforms—demonstrate potential to improve disease prevention and health monitoring. However, disparities in digital literacy and access remain significant barriers, particularly for older adults.
Discussion: Spoke 4 of Age-It highlights the need for multidimensional, One Health–based strategies that integrate traditional health determinants with digital innovations. By combining evidence-based interventions with user-centered e-health platforms, scalable and inclusive solutions can be developed to support healthy aging. These efforts provide policymakers and healthcare systems with tools to foster resilience, mitigate frailty, and enhance quality of life in aging populations.
Scientific article
Protective and risk factors for cognitive decline: The role of sex and occupational status
Social science & medicine (1982) • 2025 • Vol. 389
Summary
Objective:
With ageing cognitive functions become less efficient affecting daily tasks and well-being. We investigate protective factors for decline focusing on the role of sex and occupation.
Method: the Mini Mental State Examination (Folstein et al., 1975) and the Prose Memory Test (Mondini et al., 2003) were administered to 3081 older adults with the purpose of understanding the role of Age, Sex, Education, Occupation, and Comorbidities.
Results: A negative effect of Age and a positive effect of Education with an interaction between Education and Sex were found: men performed better than women when Education was low, but women performed better than men when Education was high. A protective effect of Occupation was also found: “Manager” showed a better performance than other types of occupations, while manual workers had the worst outcomes.
Discussion: The protective role of higher professional positions and the risks of manual and agricultural occupations are underlined. Our study gives new insights into the limited research on the effects of occupation on cognition in ageing.
Conference Proceedings
Old Age Informal Caring and Impact on Health Among Adults in Italy
Statistics for Innovation I – SIS2025 • 2025 • pp. 379-383
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between informal intergenerational caregiving and self-rated health (SRH) among Italian adults, with a focus on gender and employment status. Using data from the 2016 Italian Family, Social Subjects, and Life Cycle (FSS) ISTAT survey, we analyse a sample of 8,610 individuals aged 35–64 with at least one living parent. Caregivers are identified by weekly informal caregiving, co-residence with the cared recipient, or assistance provided outside the household. Logistic regression models are used to estimate the association between informal caregiving and health outcomes, while Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW) is applied to infer causal effects of providing care. Results indicate that caregivers are less likely to report good or very good SRH than non-caregivers, though gender-specific effects are not statistically significant. Among employed or employable individuals, caregiving has the strongest negative impact, particularly for women, while among inactive individuals, no significant association is observed. This suggests that role conflict may intensify stress from caregiving responsibilities. Future research will further investigate care intensity and multiple caregiving roles using advanced IPTW methods to refine causal estimates.
Scientific article
Spouses’ Health: What Happens Beyond the Widowhood Effect?
Journal of Family Issues • 2024 • Vol. 46(1), pp. 46-63
Abstract
Objectives. We focus on married couples, and we analyse how the susceptibility and survival of individuals can be influenced by the illnesses and death experienced by their spouses.
Methods. We perform a cohort study following married couples (age 65–75 years) from 2001 to 2013. We monitor individual’s susceptibility status and three spouses’ illnesses (i.e. diabetes, cancer, and mental diseases). The methodology used is the Cox regression.
Results. The initial cohort is composed of 22,639 couples. During the follow-up, 24% of the individuals dies, 91% experiences at least one susceptibility increase and 43% experiences one spouse’s illness. Results from the Cox regressions report a change in the individual health that is specifically related to the occurrence of the spouse’s diseases and death. Moreover, the three diseases hit individuals differently.
Discussion. What emerges from this work is the importance of considering the mechanism of the widowhood effect with an extensive approach.