Research is motivated by the rapid changes in the population structure and by the increase in longevity. In Finland, the number of people aged 90 or older has doubled in the past 20 years from 22 000 to 55 000 thousand, and by 2040, it will reach 150 000. The Vitality 90+ Study was initiated in 1995 by Antti Hervonen and Marja Jylhä.
Major research themes: 
- Time trends of health and functioning
- Predictors of longevity
- Quality of life
- Formal and informal care and services
- Old age as an individual experience
- Biological basis of longevity
Data collections:
- Mailed surveys for community dwelling individuals aged 90 years and older in 1995, 1996 and 1998, and for all individuals in the age group in 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 in the city of Tampere (n=10 830).
- Health examinations including health interview, anthropometric measurements and physical and cognitive performance tests in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2010, and blood samples for biological measurements in 1998, 2000, 2010 and 2014.
- Face-to-face life story interviews have been conducted in 1995 (n=250), 2012 (n=45) and 2023 (n=54).
- National register data on medication, health and social care use and mortality have been linked with the survey data.
Vitality 90+ is a unique data source consisting of population-based survey data with exceptional high response rates (around 80%), multidisciplinary research approach and covering over 25 years period.
The project improves understanding of the dynamics between longer life expectancy and the development of health and quality of life of the oldest old. Research findings have been reported in nearly 100 scientific publications and the data materials have been used in 10 doctoral dissertations.
Data is presented in more detail in tab Data chart and Survey data.
Funding sources: Academy of Finland, Juho Vainio Foudation, Pirkanmaa Cultural Founfation and other competetive research funding.