Jakarta, 11 July 2024: ERIA, in collaboration with the University of Indonesia (UI), organised a dissemination event themed ‘Healthy Ageing and Longevity in Indonesia’ on 11 July 2024 in Jakarta. The event marked the final segment of a joint research project investigating longevity in two Indonesian villages, Miduana (West Java) and Gili Iyang (East Java). Esteemed academics, experts, policymakers, health workers, and demographers attended to discuss how the research outcomes can serve as a foundation for future national policy implementation.

Indonesia is currently benefiting from a demographic dividend while also facing the challenge of an ageing population. Older adults make up 12% of the country’s total population, with this figure projected to rise to 20% by 2045, according to Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Indonesia’s Deputy Health Minister. He emphasised the need to keep older people active, productive, and healthy to improve their quality of life, which is pivotal in increasing life expectancy. He also expressed gratitude to all partners involved, including ERIA, for collaborating with the Government of Indonesia on a project that yielded valuable findings to inform national policies on ageing.

Dr Ari Fahrial Syam, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at UI, stressed the importance of balancing appropriate interventions for older patients. In commemoration of the 2024 National Older Persons Day, he highlighted how this research could enhance joint efforts with the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) in promoting healthy ageing and extending life expectancy amongst the older population. He strongly believed that the study’s results, as well as insights from this event, would benefit the community and inspire further research.

Dr Takuma Kato, Director of ERIA’s Healthcare Unit, noted that research on ageing is one of the three pillars of the Healthcare Unit. He mentioned that this project was particularly significant for ERIA, as it was officially requested by the MoH during a side event of the G7 Health Ministers Meeting in Nagasaki in 2023. ERIA was delighted to supervise the project, having worked vigorously with ASEAN Member States to achieve regional prosperity and provide extensive support to the policymaking process, including in Indonesia. Dr Kato emphasised that this project is just the beginning of future research collaborations.

A panel discussion themed ‘Factors Influencing Healthy Ageing and Longevity in Miduana and Gili Iyang’ was also part of the event. One of the panelists, ERIA’s Senior Research Fellow of the Healthcare Unit, Prof. Yasuhiko Saito, offered inputs to enrich the research findings, suggesting that the sample size be made more representative, that age verification be conducted, and that factors such as temperature and air quality in the research areas be included, as they might affect longevity.

Dr Nida Rochmawati, Director of Productive Age and Older Person at the MoH, emphasised the importance of raising public awareness to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent ageism. Indonesian geriatric expert Dr Noto Dwimartutie also addressed the need for public awareness of clinical concerns, such as disease burden, morbidity, and various factors that can contribute to functional decline.

Dr I Dewa from the Demographic Institute of UI shared insights on the demographic shift towards the silver generation, highlighting the potential for a silver economy. Waritsah and Vini, representing the West Java and East Java governments, respectively, were the final two panelists. They expressed hope that the study’s findings could be used to review existing policies and that such improved policies could be implemented in their regions. The session concluded with the delivery of recommendations and an outline of follow-up actions.