THE CANADIAN LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGING (CLSA): A PLATFORM FOR RESEARCH ON AGING

摘要

Over the next twenty years, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) will generate a wealth of information to contribute to the advancement of the science of aging and policy development. As a study, CLSA objectives are to examine aging as a dynamic life-course process; investigate the inter-relationship among intrinsic and extrinsic factors from mid-life to older age; and capture the transitions and trajectories of aging-related processes. As a platform, CLSA objectives are to provide infrastructure and build capacity for state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary, population-based research and evidence-based decision making to support the nation as it transitions into several decades of rapid population aging. Information on the changing biological, physical, psychological, and social aspects of people’s lives is being collected to understand how, individually and in combination, they influence the maintenance of health and well-being, and the development of disease and disability as people age. The CLSA is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind undertaken to date. Its large sample, multidisciplinary focus, and longitudinal design provide ongoing research opportunities unprecedented in Canada and internationally.Recruitment of over 50,000 participants is now complete, and baseline data are available to the research community. The objectives of this Symposium are to: 1) Update on study progress and milestones achieved; 2) Report on key methodological aspects of recruitment, sampling, data collection, outcomes ascertainment; 3) Present findings from initial projects using CLSA data; and 4) Give researchers an understanding of the scope and potential of the CLSA as a platform for research on aging.