Grant: Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) program

The Canadian population of older adults aged 65 and over continues to grow. Staying mobile is crucial for maintaining independence, quality of life, and overall health in older adults. A decline in mobility, which refers to difficulty walking and moving freely, has been linked to social isolation, depression, longer hospital stays, and causes of death among older adults. However, not all older adults experience mobility decline in the same way. Older age groups, women, and racialized populations such as Black communities are often more affected, but the reasons for these differences are not well understood. This project will examine changes in mobility among older Canadians over time, using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a large-scale national study. By incorporating machine learning (artificial intelligence, AI) tools, the research will uncover patterns that are not obvious with traditional statistical methods, especially when equity-deserving groups are underrepresented in the data. AI methods can identify complex interactions between and within age groups, gender, and races, while ensuring that findings remain accessible and actionable for individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Beyond statistical analysis, the project will bring together older adults, clinicians, and policymakers to interpret the findings meaningfully. Together, we will create resources such as community education materials, risk dashboards for clinicians, and policy briefs to inform health planning. By identifying modifiable social and biological factors contributing to mobility decline, this research aims to improve personal health, independence, and safety through earlier detection and prevention, enhance population health by addressing inequities, and support health systems by providing evidence to develop equitable mobility-focused programs for older Canadians. This project aligns with the WHO's Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) initiative.