Promoting the health of older Australians: program options, priorities and research

Abstract

Relatively little emphasis has been placed on identifying health promotion research and program priorities for the olderage group. A one-day conference culminating in an interactive session was organised to engage health serviceprofessionals in a process to identify such priorities in Western Australia. Physical activity, social isolation, mentalhealth and medications were deemed issues warranting more attention by both health promotion research and healthpromotion intervention programs. Additional consultation with representatives of the target population isrecommended to further refine the priorities.