The Norwegian Life-course, Ageing and Generation Panel Study (NORPAN)

Population ageing presents both opportunities and constraints. Maximising quality of life entails finding optimal fit between individual ageing and social environment. The growing population of older adults is likely to be increasingly heterogeneous, and their life situations more diverse. This project seeks to make optimal use of a unique data set, NorLAG, in order to produce new knowledge on variability in ageing patterns. The main focus is on variability in older people's social participation, health a nd well-being, and how it can be accounted for. A key issue is the significance of context on different levels for participation, health and well-being. Research is organised under three themes: (1) Community setting and social integration (2) Mental heal th and well-being (3) Health and health behaviour. The multifaceted program is based on the first two waves of the NorLAG Panel Study, which is the first longitudinal ageing study of some format in Norway. The first data collection (NorLAG-1) was carried out in 2002-03 (n=5589, aged 40-79). The second wave (NorLAG-2) is carried out in 2007-08, and establishes a five year panel, with a set of new cohorts and age groups in wave 2. NorLAG includes many internationally validated instruments as well as measure s specifically developed for this study. Thus, it allows comparative and country-specific analyses. Data on communities and rich information on individuals make it possible to examine the role of different contexts for life outcomes. Longitudinal data ena ble analyses to disentangle age and cohort effects. The project includes a set of meetings to stimulate national and international discussion. A goal is to combine high-class international publishing with dissemination of knowledge needed to develop polic ies and practices for an ageing society.