TILDA Research Highlighted in the Trinity School of Medicine Health Policy and Civic Engagement Report 2026
Posted on 2 October 2026
Two areas of TILDA’s research and civic engagement have been highlighted in the Trinity School of Medicine Health Policy and Civic Engagement Report 2026, demonstrating the impact of TILDA research on healthy ageing, wellbeing and health policy in Ireland.
Creative activity and healthy ageing
TILDA’s collaboration with Creative Ireland examined participation in arts, creative and cultural activities among older adults and their relationship with health and wellbeing.
Analysis of TILDA data found that older adults who participate in creative activities report higher quality of life and lower levels of depression, stress, worry and loneliness. However, participation was lower among some groups, including men, people with lower education and income, and those living in rural areas.
The findings highlight the potential for greater access to creative and cultural activities to support mental wellbeing, social inclusion and healthy ageing.
Building on this work, Creative Ireland has funded a further collaboration with TILDA examining the relationship between arts and creative activities and flourishing – a positive state of mental health in which people feel good and function well. Questions measuring flourishing were also included in TILDA Wave 7 in collaboration with University College London.
Informing health system reform for older adults
The report also highlights the contribution of TILDA’s Wave 6 research to national health and social care policy.
Launched in September 2025, the TILDA Wave 6 Report: Shaping the Future – Longitudinal Trends and Opportunities for Transformation in Health and Social Care in Ireland brought together 14 years of longitudinal evidence on the health and wellbeing of Ireland’s ageing population.
The research highlighted significant modifiable health needs and inequalities, including untreated and under-treated conditions, chronic pain, depression and loneliness. It also demonstrated the importance of prevention, early detection and person-centred care.
A key element of the report was the application of the internationally recognised Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework – Mobility, Medications, Mind and What Matters – to TILDA data. This work subsequently contributed to the HSE and Department of Health’s Age-Friendly Health System Blueprint, supporting the development of more age-friendly approaches to healthcare across Ireland.
TILDA continues to work with partners including the HSE, ALONE and Family Carers Ireland to translate these findings into practice. Follow-up work includes developing an online 4Ms calculation tool to support age-friendly care across healthcare settings and further research into the health and wellbeing needs identified through Wave 6.
Together, these projects demonstrate how TILDA’s longitudinal research is being translated into policy, practice and community action to support healthier ageing and improve quality of life for older people across Ireland.