Advancing the understanding, measurement and monitoring of healthy ageing: A systematically derived framework and dataset mapping associated constructs, measures and measurement approaches.

Healthy ageing is a multidimensional process shaped by physical, mental, social and environmental factors across the life course. However, the lack of a standardised framework and inconsistent interpretations of key constructs hinder meaningful comparison across studies and contexts. This article presents a systematically derived framework and structured dataset that capture the constructs, measurement approaches and methodological advancements involved in operationalising healthy ageing. The framework and dataset originate from the systematic review conducted by Piriu et al. (2025), which comprehensively maps the range of concepts, constructs and operational dimensions - measures, metrics, instruments and scales - used in 55 empirical studies that operationalise healthy ageing, each addressing at least two of the three core domains identified by the World Health Organization: intrinsic capacity (IC), functional ability (FA) and the environment (ENV). The Piriu et al. (2025) framework (hereafter PIETHA) introduces a multilayered categorisation of the healthy ageing construct, articulating it into three domains (IC, FA, ENV), 15 sub-domains, and 84 themes. This structure reflects both conceptual and measurement considerations (e.g. subjective vs. objective categories, self-reported vs. assessed/tested) while also providing a novel, detailed organisation of the environmental factors shaping healthy ageing at different levels of analysis (micro, meso and macro). Reflecting this multidimensional structure, the dataset complements the framework by documenting the specific tools employed in healthy ageing operationalisation, including assessment scales, validated instruments and measurement methodologies. By systematically analysing how healthy ageing is operationalised across disciplines, the PIETHA framework and related dataset support the identification of conceptual, empirical and methodological gaps in healthy ageing research. This enables researchers to generate new hypotheses, explore underrepresented areas - such as environmental and psychosocial dimensions - and advance integrative metrics. The framework and dataset also enhance methodological transparency and data reuse due to a structured design anchored in thematic identification, construct classification and comprehensive mapping of measurement practices. This facilitates replication, comparison and innovation in the field by enabling the systematic evaluation of interconnected factors and measurement strategies across studies and contexts. The framework and dataset offer a foundational resource to support the harmonisation of healthy ageing metrics and research strategies. They allow researchers and practitioners to: (i) obtain a structured overview of the concepts, constructs and measurement approaches used in healthy ageing research; (ii) assess the strengths and limitations of existing frameworks and methods, and compare approaches across domains and contexts to ensure we measure what matters; and (iii) address persistent gaps and develop the operational evidence base, especially concerning the contextual factors that enable healthy ageing and longevity. Ultimately, the dataset supports the continued development of robust, context-sensitive knowledge and methods for monitoring healthy ageing globally.