Prevention of chronic diseases and age-related disability

Chronic diseases and age-related disability are major contributors to morbidity, loss of independence, and mortality in older adults. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, sensory impairment, and multimorbidity become increasingly common with advancing age. However, many of the risk factors contributing to these conditions can be modified through preventive healthcare, lifestyle interventions, early detection, and appropriate management.

This webinar reviews a comprehensive approach to preventing chronic disease and functional decline in older adults. Particular attention is given to nutrition and malnutrition, including age-related loss of appetite, protein-energy deficiency, micronutrient deficiencies, and the consequences of inadequate nutritional intake for frailty, immunity, wound healing, and physical independence.

Physical activity is presented as another central component of healthy ageing. Regular resistance, aerobic, balance, and flexibility training may help preserve mobility, functional capacity, independence, mental health, and quality of life while reducing the impact of frailty and several chronic conditions.

The session also addresses tobacco and excessive alcohol use, emphasizing the health benefits of smoking cessation even at an advanced age and the particular risks associated with alcohol use in older adults, including altered metabolism and interactions with medications.

Preventive assessment and screening form another major theme. The lecture discusses cardiovascular risk assessment, cancer screening, osteoporosis, vision and hearing evaluation, oral and foot health, and the need to individualize screening decisions according to comorbidity, frailty, and expected benefit. The WHO concept of integrated care for older people and assessment of intrinsic capacity are also introduced.

Additional topics include fall prevention, environmental modification, polypharmacy and medication review, immunization, social engagement, and prevention of cognitive decline. Multidomain approaches, including those examined in studies such as FINGER, MAPT, and PREDIVA, illustrate how interventions addressing vascular risk, nutrition, exercise, cognitive stimulation, and social participation may support healthier ageing.

By integrating lifestyle modification, screening, medication management, social participation, and functional assessment, the webinar provides clinicians with a practical framework for reducing preventable disease, disability, and dependency in later life.

Learn more about this topic in our series of webinars and expert lectures from the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG): link

*Provided by International Association of Gerontology & Geriatrics (IAGG) & Federation of Geriatric Education (FGE)

Speakers

• Prof. Arvind Mathur, MD

Learning objectives

• Identify major modifiable risk factors contributing to chronic disease and disability in older adults.
• Explain the role of nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation, and reduction of excessive alcohol use in healthy ageing.
• Describe key preventive screening strategies for cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, sensory impairment, and other age-related conditions.
• Recognize the importance of fall prevention, medication review, social participation, and assessment of intrinsic capacity in geriatric care.
• Discuss multidomain approaches for maintaining physical and cognitive function and reducing disability and dependency in later life.