University students' perceptions for healthy ageing in the Asia-Pacific: A content analysis

Australas J Ageing. 2025 Jun;44(2):e70061. doi: 10.1111/ajag.70061.

Abstract

Background: Population ageing is a global phenomenon. The World Health Organization's Decade of Healthy Ageing, known as the Decade, underscores the value of building age-friendly environments, combating ageism and improving care for older adults.

Methods: Twenty-eight teams of students from 10 Asia-Pacific economies participated in a competition on improving older adult care. We performed a content analysis of video proposals, applying the Decade's four key action areas as a novel way to examine student perceptions of healthy ageing.

Results: Regarding the Decade, most proposals addressed integrated health care and age-friendly environments, but few addressed long-term care and/or ageism. Social isolation was a priority, with proposals commonly featuring technological tools and socially supportive spaces for older adults and carers as solutions.

Conclusions: Students valued technology-based strategies and socially connected environments to promote mental health and active ageing as critical components of healthy ageing. The results demonstrated the need for programs that counter ageism.

Keywords: ageism; healthy ageing; intersectoral collaboration; technology.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Ageism / prevention & control
  • Ageism / psychology
  • Aging* / psychology
  • Asia
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Healthy Aging* / ethnology
  • Healthy Aging* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Perception*
  • Social Isolation
  • Students* / psychology
  • Universities
  • Video Recording
  • Young Adult