Lifestyle for longevity: Ageing, chronic disease and healthy lifestyle behaviour in Ghana

With the global paradigm shift in disease burden, behavioural change has been identified as one the major drivers of effective disease management. This study examines risk and preventive health behaviour in Ghana controlling for chronic disease status and socio-demographic factors. Data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in an adult population 18 years and older with significant focus on those aged 50 years plus were analysed. The study focuses on healthy lifestyle behaviour (HLB) estimated using factor analysis and regression modelling to investigate the association between chronic disease, socio-demographic factors and HLB. An overall higher level of HLB among chronic disease persons was found with age, sex education, employment and wealth still being significant predictors of HLB. The study argues that the significant differential in HLB in favour of chronic disease persons will chart a new pathway for the epidemiological transition with longevity.