The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA): ALSA is a population-based bio-psycho-social and behavioural study of older adults. The longitudinal data collected in the course of the ALSA study comprise the most comprehensive longitudinal database yet assembled on ageing Australians and the findings of the ALSA are directly relevant to policy formulation and planning of health and social services for an ageing population.

The study allows assessment of the effects of social, biomedical, psychological, behavioural, economic and environmental factors on changes in health, development of disability, general wellbeing, economic security, use of acute and long-term care services, morbidity, mortality, and ‘successful’ ageing in people aged 70 and over, particularly in a South Australian context.

The research has a number of specific objectives. These include:
1. Determination of levels of health and functional status of an older population and to track the changes in these characteristics over time.
2. Identification of factors which promote and maintain health and wellbeing in an ageing population.
3. Identification of risk factors for major morbid conditions and social, behavioural and other problems among an ageing population.
4. Analysis of the effects on transitions in health and functional status of age, gender, different patterns of comorbidity, availability and nature of informal and formal support arrangements, social and economic circumstances, health care provision and utilisation and other variables of interest.
5. Assessment of the effects of disease processes on functional status and the demand for health care services and both informal and formal long-term care.
6. Examination of the patterns of the need for and the utilisation of informal and formal sources of long-term care as they relate to social support networks, economic and housing conditions, care-giving arrangements and the availability of appropriate services.
7. Examination of mortality outcomes in the light of changes in health and functional status, medical interventions, self-assessed health, social networks and individual characteristics. The inclusion of both survey and clinical components makes it possible to link objective clinical measures with details of the lifestyle, attitudes and personal histories of respondents.

For more information and data-related queries, please contact ALSA team at alsa@flinders.edu.au.