The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing

The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA) is the centrepiece research activity of the Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies. The ALSA commenced in 1992 with 2087 participants aged 65 years or more. At Baseline, a comprehensive personal interview and assessment of neuropsychological and physiological functions was undertaken at each person’s home, supplemented by self-completed questionnaires, biochemistry, and additional clinical studies of physical function. The final wave (Wave 13) of data collection was carried out in 2014.

The general purpose of the ALSA study is to gain further understanding of how social, biomedical and environmental factors are associated with age related changes in health and well-being of persons aged 70 years and over. Emphasis is given in the overall study to defining and exploring the concept of healthy, active ageing, particularly in a South Australian context.

Last Update 21/09/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Australia
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 60 to 100
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Individual physiological|Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Musculoskeletal|Reproductive|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood
Genotyping
Brain imaging
Brain banking
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment >65
last updated
recruitment period 1992
estimated current sample size number value
cohort acronym ALSA
start date 1992
pi Professor Mary Luszcz
website http://flinders.edu.au/sabs/fcas/alsa/alsa.cfm
contact details Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies
School of Psychology
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001
Australia
abstract  ALSA is a population study focused on how social, biomedical and environmental factors are associated with age related changes in health and well-being of persons aged 70 and over. In 1992 2,087 participants were recruited.
funders  US National Institute on Ageing|Australian Research Council (Discovery Program)|The National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia
contact email Email: [email protected]
contact phone number (08) 8201 7588 OS: +618 8201 7588 (or2192)
estimated current sample size
sample sizes 2087