Abstract
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The number of Australians over the age of 65 years is expected to double by 2021. Many
older Australians suffer from one or more chronic diseases – including cancer, coronary heart
disease, respiratory diseases (AIHW, 2009) resulting in increased morbidity and mortality,
lower quality of life and a higher need for health care (Hickey and Stilwell, 1991). There is
increasing evidence that the adoption of healthy lifestyles can have significant benefits even
into older age (Haveman-Nies et al, 2002). This project utilized a social marketing framework
to support aged residents of retirement homes to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours to
improve their health.