Ramadan fasting is associated with reduced penetrating trauma and increased peptic ulcer perforation: a 10-year retrospective analysis.

The proportion of the world's population aged 65 years and over has doubled in the last 50 years, rising from 5% in 1970 to 10% in 2023 []. By 2030, it is estimated that 1.4 billion people globally (17% of the global population) will be aged 60 years or over, and this is predicted to reach 2.1 billion people by 2050 []. In Australia, over 17% of the current population is aged 65 years and over, representing one of the highest proportions of older adults globally []. Similar to other high‐income countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, lifestyle‐driven chronic and non‐communicable diseases are now the primary cause of morbidity and mortality []. Many of these diseases are preventable and require new approaches to health care provision and disease prevention []. In recent years, the concept of healthy ageing has evolved to recognise the influence of socioeconomic factors, psychosocial dynamics and lifestyle choices on health and well‐being []. The traditional view of health in later life, once focused primarily on the absence of disease, has expanded to encompass a more holistic perspective. Consequently, since 2015 the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined healthy ageing as an individual's capacity to fulfil essential needs, maintain autonomy, make decisions, engage socially, nurture relationships, stay active, navigate health challenges and disabilities, and live a full life despite illness [, ]. While the effects of socioeconomic and demographic factors on healthy aging have already been well documented, other factors such as mental health, social health (which encompasses social isolation and loneliness) and substance use disorders have yet to be fully explored. Older adults are a high‐risk population for mental health conditions, and in Australia one in seven adults aged between 55 and 64 years have an anxiety‐related disorder, while almost one in six have depression or feelings of depression [], both of which have an adverse impact on quality of life []. Poor social health, such as experiences of social isolation and loneliness, have been associated with increased rates of poor mental health, emotional distress, suicide, the development of dementia and premature death []. In 2022, 14% of Australian adults aged between 55 and 64 years reported feeling socially isolated [], and the 2023 Australian ‘State of the Nation’ report found that 34% of adults in the same age bracket were moderately lonely []. Finally, substance use disorders in older adults are a growing area of concern. The current population aged 50–70 years have been reported to have riskier drinking and substance use patterns than both previous and younger generations []. Reports from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that around 21% of adults aged 50–59 years smoke tobacco daily and smoke the greatest number of cigarettes per day (16.5 cigarettes) on average than younger or older generations []. In addition, one in three adults are estimated to consume alcohol at risky levels (10 or more standard drinks in 1 week), and in the past 10 years recent use of any illicit drug use has doubled among people in their 50's []. These rates of substance use leave older adults at a higher risk of associated harms. As such, a deeper understanding of mental health, social health and substance use characteristics is warranted to help support the ageing population.