The aging study of pyeongchang rural area (Aspra): Findings and perspectives for human aging, frailty, and disability

Abstract

The Aging Study of Pyeongchang Rural Area (ASPRA) is a population-based, prospective cohort study of older adults in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Since the initial enrollment of 382 partici-pants, the ASPRA has been maintained and has conducted comprehensive geriatric assessments annually, gradually expanding its population and coverage area. As a cohort study of aging-relat-ed conditions and their functional consequences, the ASPRA leveraged Pyeongchang’s relatively low annual population movement rate and its healthcare delivery system, which was largely maintained by community health posts. Since its establishment, the ASPRA has reported numer-ous observational and multicomponent intervention studies on functional decline, geriatric syn-drome, and frailty. Here, we discuss the findings and perspectives of ASPRA studies. We hope that the ASPRA enables the further implementation of a longitudinal study design on geriatric parameters and the development of public health strategies targeting aging-related conditions, espe-cially in resource-limited community settings.