We’re excited to announce the 2026 AAG Hot Topic: “The Disease Divide: Addressing Chronic Conditions and Health Inequity in Older Australians.”
Each year, the AAG Hot Topic provides a focus for our policy and advocacy activities, including roundtables, in-person and online forums, position papers, and other publications, directing our attention towards a particular policy, research, or practice agenda.
Chronic disease is one of the most pressing health challenges for older Australians, impacting quality of life, independence, and health system demand. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, arthritis, and mental health conditions are widespread, but their impact is far from equal. Social and structural factors, like ageism and systemic inequities, mean that some older people face greater barriers to prevention, diagnosis, and care.
This hot topic will shine a spotlight on how we can transform chronic disease prevention and management through equity-focused, age-inclusive, and community-informed approaches. Of course, this includes approaches to clinical care, but it’s also about tackling the environments and systems that shape health outcomes in later life.
In the coming year, we will explore issues such as:
- how chronic conditions vary across diverse groups, including gender and sexually diverse people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and culturally and linguistically diverse people, among others.
- stereotypes, discrimination, and age-inclusive models of care.
- isolation, elder abuse, financial and housing insecurity, and other inequities that impact health.
- the integration of chronic disease management with mental health, aged care, and primary health services.
- and more!
The 2026 AAG Hot Topic positions disease, not only as a challenge of ageing, but as a lens to advance equity, inclusion, and systemic reform in health and ageing policy. We invite you to contribute, collaborate, and lead the conversation on this critical issue.
Watch this space and join the conversation via our:
AAG Online Community
Special Interest Groups
AAG500 Blog
Policy and Advocacy Hub
Events and Webinars