Investigators: Prof Julie Byles, Prof Lindy Clemson, Prof Hal Kendig, Dr Mary Lam, A/Prof Lynette Mackenzie (CI).

This cross-sectional study will focus primarily on the health, functioning and service use of men aged over 70 years. Older men within the 45 and Up baseline cohort who live alone will be compared with those who live with others to identify their specific health risks and geographical factors, and to compare the health and social functioning of these two groups. The project also aims to determine the necessity of investigating the health needs of older men in a longitudinal study, given that older men have generally been overlooked as a group by health researchers.