The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated the EngAGE Centre for Research in Ageing at Trinity College Dublin as its new Collaborating Centre for Longitudinal Studies on Ageing and the Life Course.
This new Collaborating Centre will play a vital role in enhancing data collection, research, and monitoring related to healthy ageing. It will assist countries in conducting national surveys on ageing that align with established studies, focusing on health needs and equity barriers specific to different populations across the life course.
“As the global population ages and life expectancy increases, ensuring a higher quality of life during these additional years is critical,” stated Dr. Anshu Banerjee, WHO Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, and Ageing. “This partnership will provide deeper insights into healthy ageing and support the WHO Global Ageing Population Survey’s implementation across countries of all income levels. With the help of our Collaborating Centres and global partners, I am confident that we can overcome these challenges and provide the necessary support to national governments in implementing and monitoring the Healthy Ageing action plan effectively.”
A key focus of the collaboration will be supporting the WHO Global Ageing Population Survey Programme, which aims to provide countries with tools and resources to gather standardized data on the health and well-being of older adults. This data will guide evidence-based policymaking and targeted actions in line with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030).
The designation of the EngAGE Centre as a WHO Collaborating Centre underscores its exceptional research and commitment to improving the lives of older individuals. It joins a global network of 15 WHO Collaborating Centres on ageing, with only five in the European Region, and is Ireland’s first such centre.
“This designation reflects the dedication and hard work of our team in leading the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA),” said Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny, founding Principal Investigator of TILDA and Director of the new Collaborating Centre. “We are excited to be recognized as a WHO Collaborating Centre, which allows us to expand our research and collaborate with WHO, Trinity College, and international partners to develop solutions that improve health and well-being across the lifespan. Our work will provide critical data to shape global policies and practices.”
This collaboration between WHO and TILDA highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing the challenges and opportunities of an ageing world. By combining their expertise, they will help create a world where everyone can age with health and dignity.
