Big Data, Community Models, and Intergenerational Voices: Cross-Cultural Innovations on Healthy Ageing and Digital Inclusion in Thailand, Cambodia and Japan

Thet Htoo Pan, Thanakrit Chintavara, Vira Tum, Aki Higashi, Myo Nyein Aung and Mohd Rohaizat Hassan

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Digitally Inclusive Healthy Ageing Communities (DIHAC) is a cross-cultural study primarily based on Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand, further expanding to India, Malaysia, Vietnam, other Europe and Latin American countries through collaboration. We organize bi-monthly cross-cultural exchange meetings to create trans-disciplinary learning opportunities. The DIHAC meeting marks its 31st time on October 29th, 2025. In the 31^st DIHAC meeting, experts from three countries of Asia: Thailand, Cambodia and Japan shared the latest healthy ageing and digital inclusion initiatives.

Principle investigator of the DIHAC study, Associate Professor Myo Nyein Aung, Department of Global Health Research, Juntendo University, Japan started the meeting and socialized with the participants. More than 40 participants included researchers in global health and public health, faculties from universities, clinicians, government officials, members from Active Aging Consortium in Asia Pacific (ACAP), community stakeholders, representatives from INGOs and graduate and undergraduate students from Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Belgium actively participated in the meeting.

The chair of 31^st DIHAC meeting is Professor Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, MD, PhD, Professor of Public Health Medicine, Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia. He is the investigator of DIHAC study in Malaysia and adviser of DIHAC. Professor Rohaizat has chaired and presented in the previous 9^th, 10^th and 25^th DIHAC meetings. The chair introduced the backgrounds of three speakers.

Figure: Chairperson Professor Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, speakers, international audience and DIHAC study team at the 31st DIHAC meeting on October 29th, 2025

Presentation 1: Big Data strategies and implication in Thailand in the healthy ageing decade

The first specker was Dr Thanakrit Chintavara, MD, PhD, First Executive Vice President, Special Affairs Big Data Institute (BDI) Thailand. He introduced Thailand’s national strategy for digital health transformation through the Health Link system developed by the BDI [1]. This innovative Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform link big data from primary care units to tertiary hospitals by integrating patient records such as medical history, diagnostic reports, and immunization status. The system represents a multisectoral collaboration involving five ministries, such as the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the Ministry of the Interior, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, alongside public and private hospitals, as well as police and military medical institutions. Users can also access their personal health records through the mobile app. With patient consent, this information can be shared with healthcare providers, promoting continuity of care.

Furthermore, the speaker presented IoT-integrated healthcare solutions for older adults to age in place. This includes sensors, medication tracking, and wearables to continuously and remotely monitor health status. The speaker also discussed data privacy, linkage with nursing institutions for long-term care, and user feedback.

• The Big Data Institute Thailand (BDI) established the first national Health Information Exchange (HIE) system that uses big data to optimize healthcare service delivery.
• Health Link enables seamless, secure, and patient-centered data exchange across the healthcare ecosystem.

Presentation 2: Healthy Ageing and Digital Inclusion in Cambodia

The second speaker, Mr. Vira Tum, MBA, Executive Director of HelpAge Cambodia, discussed Cambodia’s demographic shift toward an ageing society, where 10 percent of the population are aged 60 and above, a proportion expected to rise to 23 percent by 2050 [2]. In the context of limited access to health and social services, community-based Older People’s Associations (OPAs) have emerged as the primary support system for older adults. More than 2,000 OPAs now operate across the country, each with an average of 70 members of older village volunteers [3]. OPAs provide services such as home visits, health screenings, health education, physical exercise, and social and cultural activities.

HelpAge Cambodia, a local NGO established since 1992, works closely with OPAs and the Cambodia Ageing Network to strengthen these initiatives. Mr. Tum introduced the Laey Baitong (Green Basket) Social Enterprise, which engages older adults in farming to generate income and remain active and productive. In addition, the “Yeay Ta Digital” program promotes digital inclusion through literacy training. Participants learn digital skills such as photography, social media use, and cybersecurity awareness, helping to bridge the digital divide. Mr. Tum emphasized that community-led models are both cost-effective and sustainable. However there is policy implementation gap and urges need for national strategies on digital inclusion and healthy ageing.

• HelpAge Cambodia promotes healthy ageing through OPA networks and is implementing digital literacy programs to strengthen inclusion among older adults.
• Despite these efforts, Cambodia continues to face a significant first-level digital gap, lacking sufficient internet access in some areas. Apart from ageism, fostering partnership amongst various stakeholders and encouraging community self-help are essential for shaping future strategies on digital inclusion and healthy ageing.

Presentation 3: When She Forgot My Name – A Boy’s Journey with Grandma’s Dementia (Japan)

The third speaker, Mr. Aki Higashi, a Grade 9 student at the American Embassy School in New Delhi and former student of Green School Bali, shared insights from his debut book When She Forgot My Name – A Boy’s Journey with Grandma’s Dementia. The story is based on his real-life experience with his grandmother’s life course with declining memory in later life. He argued that dementia has become one of the leading causes of death in Japan, a super-ageing society, where one in four older adults experience social isolation and loneliness increases the risk of dementia by 31 percent [4]. Mr. Higashi described how his grandmother initially moved into residential care in Japan, where she struggled with loneliness after being separated from her husband and family. Later, she joined a nursing home in Mesari Village, Bali, while Mr. Higashi was studying there. Supported by residents and staff, and connected to her family through daily video calls, she regained a sense of purpose. Being a retired nurse of more than 30 years’ experience, she began helping other residents and even taught Japanese to the staff. The contribution made grandma feel that she is a necessity in society. The author emphasized the importance of addressing mental as well as physical care for older adults. To raise such awareness, he sold 100 copies of his book and donated the proceeds to Alzheimer’s Indonesia, calling on organizations to support publication and fundraising efforts to promote dementia awareness.

• His grandmother’s story highlighted the power of ambitions and purpose in the later life which is known well as “ikigai” in Japan, showing how older adults participated in the community when they feel valued and needed for others.
• Mr. Higashi himself is an inspiring example of how young people can contribute meaningfully to raising awareness and driving changes in challenges of ageing and dementia.

In conclusion, the 31^st DIHAC cross-cultural exchange meeting showed different ways to support healthy ageing and digital inclusion in Asia. In Thailand, the Health Link system uses big data and IoT to connect health data across the country. In Cambodia, community-based Older People’s Associations provide health and social services while also promoting digital literacy. From a personal perspective, Mr. Aki Higashi’s story highlighted the importance of mental care, social connection, and ikigai, the feeling of being needed in society. These examples show that technology, community action, and intergenerational awareness all play a role in improving the lives of older adults. To move forward, it is vital to close digital gaps in internet access, strengthen digital skills, and ensure older people are included in new models of care.

PI Dr. Myo announced the upcoming 32^nd DIHAC meeting, scheduled for December 2025.

References

1. Big Data Institute Thailand. Health Link. Health information linkage system. 2022 [cited 2025 Oct 29]; Available from: https://healthlink.go.th/.
2. ESCAP, U.N., United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Population Data Sheet 2024. 2024.
3. HelpAge Cambodia. Older People Associations (OPAs). 2025 [cited 2025 Oct 29]; Available from: https://www.helpagecambodia.org/page/polder-people-associationsp.
4. Luchetti, M., et al., A Meta-analysis of Loneliness and Risk of Dementia using Longitudinal Data from >600,000 Individuals. Nat Ment Health, 2024. 2(11): p. 1350-1361.

Authors

Thet Htoo Pan, M.D., is Ph.D. student at the Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan

Thanakrit Chintavara, M.D., Ph.D., First Executive Vice President, Special Affairs Big Data Institute (BDI) Thailand

Vira Tum, M.B.A., Executive Director, HelpAge Cambodia.

Aki Higashi, Grade 9 high school student, American Embassy School, New Delhi, and former student of Green School Bali, Indonesia

Myo Nyein Aung, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan

Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Public Health Medicine, Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia