Asia is aging rapidly, but longitudinal data remain concentrated and poorly harmonized
The team mapped community-based longitudinal aging studies in East and Southeast Asia. Eligible cohorts followed community-dwelling adults with mean baseline age at least 50, were nationally representative or covered two geographic areas, focused on health and had English documentation. Thirty studies across ten countries or territories were found, concentrated in Japan, mainland China, Singapore and South Korea. Newer studies include biomarkers and performance measures, but physical frailty is rarely assessed, access is inconsistent and no multinational study met criteria.