The following section summarizes what we
know about how the broad determinants of
health affect the process of ageing. These
determinants apply to the health of all age
groups, although the emphasis here is on the
health and quality of life of older persons. At
this point, it is not possible to attribute direct
causation to any one determinant; however,
the substantial body of evidence on what
determines health suggests that all of these
factors (and the interplay between them) are
good predictors of how well both individuals
and populations age. More research is needed
to clarify and specify the role of each determinant,
as well as the interaction between
determinants, in the active ageing process. We
also need to better understand the pathways
that explain how these broad determinants
actually affect health and well being.