background
The healthPROelderly project is being carried out within the framework of the first public health programme of the European Commission which runs from 2003-2008. The programme is based on three general objectives: health information, rapid reaction to health threats and health promotion through addressing health determinants (http://ec.europa.eu/health).
In the face of current demographic change and longer life-expectancy, the focus on health promotion over the life-span, especially with respect to older people, is becoming increasingly important. While there are a great number of initiatives to promote older people's health in most European countries, many of these are not evaluated and there are few comprehensive measures and policies in this area.
