Why ageing well is everyone’s business

We are at a critical moment in our nation’s health story. Almost five million Australians are aged 65 years or over and two-thirds of the whole population are living with at least one chronic disease - which is only exacerbated as we age.

Governments spent more than $252.5 billion on health goods and services in 2022-2023. Victoria alone is expected to spend more than $30 billion on health in 2026 and the costs associated with caring for our ageing population make up a large chunk.

And that’s just the financial costs. The burden on our health systems, our communities and our families is real.

Ageing well means maintaining good physical, mental, and social well-being for an increasing number of the Australian population. If we can achieve this, getting older will mean greater independence and social engagement, extended working options and a reduction in national health costs.

Exercise as medicine may be the key.

That’s what our research at Victoria University (VU) is telling us. We are looking at the role of exercise in reducing the impact of Motor Neurone Disease, which is now being diagnosed in two new people every day – primarily in those over 50 years. In this growing area of work, we have a team analysing the link between exercise and the slowing of damage to the brain caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Our researchers are working to demonstrate the critical role of muscle mass in keeping us active and healthy as we age. VU is also expanding its work on increased exercise and sleep quality, and how movement might cleanse the brain when sleep is difficult to get.

With falls a leading cause of hospitalisations for our ageing population, tackling frailty is a research priority at VU. Like smart shoes that can predict a fall, or wearable external limbs that improve movement patterns and reduce the risk of tripping.

There are of course mental health benefits. Our research shows that even small amounts of regular movement can increase overall wellbeing. That’s why VU is working with national mental health bodies, such as Orygen, advocating for greater inclusion of physical activity as a therapeutic approach in treatment.

Based in Melbourne’s west, VU is proud to be part of one of the most diverse cultural communities in the country. This area is home to residents from over 100 countries speaking more than 80 different languages. This has been a driver for improving exercise and rehabilitation among these communities with chronic disease.

We expect our impact to accelerate as we move into one of the largest new hospitals in the country. VU has invested $63 million in a research and teaching facility at the new Footscray Hospital in Melbourne, doubling the number of clinical trials we can run to fast track our work from the lab to the community. This expansion will support the work of more than 300 researchers and over 400 PhD and Masters by Research students.

From getting our population AI-ready to future-proofing our homes through green construction, VU is committed to shaping healthy communities. This is work that is happening now across our other research themes: innovating education and future-proofing Australia’s workforce; transforming communities through policy, practice and governance, and smart, sustainable and liveable cities. Embedded across everything is our commitment to Protecting Country and First Nations knowledge.

Victoria University can’t do this alone. We are proud of our industry ties and welcome partners who are just as passionate about research with local impact and global reach. Join us as we work to shape the next chapter in health.

Together, let’s help all Australians grow older with confidence.