Aging is a life-long process and does not begin in mid-life or the later years. Maintaining optimal health and independence for as long as possible into older age is impacted by life-long health behaviours and social and structural determinants of health across the life course.

The WHO defines social determinants of health as " the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live and age, and the wider set of forces shaping the conditions of daily life " Footnote 7.

It defines the structural determinants of health as " all social and political mechanisms that generate stratification and social class divisions in society and that define individual socioeconomic position within hierarchies of power, prestige and access to resources " Footnote 8.

Inequity in social and structural determinant of health variables, such as economic security, social-connectedness and support, food security and nutrition, education, health care, environment and housing, can have harmful impacts on health throughout life and shape health outcomes in aging if left unaddressed.

In our goal to address the opportunities and challenges of aging for older Canadians, we will continue to work closely with the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health to champion age-inclusive research across CIHR.

This will provide an opportunity to include research on the impacts of social and structural determinants of health on aging from a life course perspective. It will also ensure that research is age-appropriate and that older adults and children, youth and families are all fully represented in research concerning their health outcomes.

A life course approach in research is critical for promoting health across the lifespan and can stimulate best practices in research so investigations consider all life stages from preconception to older age, and across critical life transitions and generations.

Introduction and Context Strategic Direction A: Implement Prevention Strategies and Promote Health and Wellbeing in Aging Strategic Direction B: Adapt Health and Care Systems to Better Address the Needs of Older Adults Strategic Direction C: Improve Lived and Living Experiences and Quality of Care in the Later Years Cross Cutting Priorities Looking Forward.

Foster a better understanding of the heterogeneity of the older adult population and its impact on health Define age in terms of functional ability, intrinsic capacity, environment and biological age, rather than chronological age, to develop a more inclusive understanding of aging Mitigate risk related to the development and progression of chronic conditions Support research with a geroscience approach and biological mechanisms of aging Focus on wellness and quality of life to maintain optimal health and independence Support research on social and structural determinants of health across the life course.

Long Description Figure 6. Components that impact aging. Environment Where people live and conduct their lives Shapes what people do within a given level of intrinsic capacity Includes home, community and broader society and all the factors within them Intrinsic Capacity Comprises the physical and mental capacities upon which a person can draw Important domains: locomotor capacity physical movement , sensory capacity vision and hearing , vitality energy and equilibrium , cognition and psychological capacity Functional Ability Having capabilities that enable all people to be and do what they value Meet basic needs Make decisions Be mobile Maintain relationships Contribute to society Biological Age Physiological age, taking into consideration genetics and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sleeping habits.

Working with health care organizations to identify people with prediabetes and refer them to CDC-recognized organizations that offer the National DPP lifestyle change program.

Working with health systems to increase team-based care for patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Promoting Interventions That Reduce Arthritis Pain.

CDC recognizes the following proven approaches to reduce arthritis symptoms: Participate in a self-management education program , such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program , that teaches the skills and confidence to live well with arthritis every day.

Be active. Physical activity—such as walking, bicycling, and swimming—decreases arthritis pain and improves function, mood, and quality of life.

Adults with arthritis should move more and sit less throughout the day. Getting at least minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week is recommended. However, any physical activity is better than none. CDC-recognized physical activity programs can improve health for participants with arthritis.

Maintain a healthy weight. People can reduce their risk of knee osteoarthritis by controlling their weight. Protect your joints. People can help prevent osteoarthritis by avoiding activities that are more likely to cause joint injuries.

Last Reviewed: September 8, Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. home National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. For more information on CDC's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.

Cancel Continue. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the communication world and nearly three in parenting … which clearly makes her an expert there. Skip to main content.

About Us Executive Team Board of Directors Our Supporters Integrated Care For Our Community Get Involved. In The News Press Releases Newsletter Annual Reports. Open Jobs Doctoral Internships Clinical Internships and Clinical Field Placement Opportunities.

Mental Health Matters , Senior and Older Adult. Here are some key factors that affect the quality of our life: 1. ATTITUDE IS A STATE OF MIND Take charge of your attitude. Sense of hope, humor, and confidence will determine the quality of your life.

Eliminate negative self-talk eg. Optimists live much healthier and happy lives. Contact with others feeds your spirit and gives meaning to your life. Being involved also helps us to forget our woes and remind us that we still have a lot to give.