Longitudinal Ageing Study The Government has launched the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) on 22nd March, 2016. Longitudinal Ageing Study is the first long term survey of the elderly population in the country which is aimed at providing comprehensive longitudinal evidence base on health, social and economic well being of the elderly. The objectives of LASI are to collect credible scientific data on burden of disease, mental health, functional health, healthcare and social and economic wellbeing of elderly population. LASI data shall be collected based on internationally comparable research design and tools by adopting scientific methods of data collection. As per Census 2011, the total population above 60 years of age was 103.83 million in India, which forms 8.6% of the total population of the country. At the present pace of population growth rate, it is likely to rise more rapidly in the coming years due to further increase in life expectancy. At present, no representative dataset is available on older population in India. The LASI study will provide the comprehensive new scientific data which are needed to conduct analyses of health, economic and social challenges based on population ageing and to formulate mid-and long-term policies and programmes to address these and other challenges presented by ageing population. Such data shall help in monitoring programmes for the elderly population and also generate essential data required for scientific research on various aspects of ageing. The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
