ISRCTN ISRCTN62431236
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN62431236
Secondary identifying numbers 2000040054
Submission date
17/07/2025
Registration date
23/07/2025
Last edited
18/07/2025
Recruitment status
Recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
The purpose of the study is to implement a project that is based on the components of the age liberation framework, and the research on which it is based, described in Breaking the Age Code: How Your Age Beliefs Determine How Long and Well You Live (Levy, 2022). The project’s aim is to reduce ageism, which has become a public health crisis.

Who can participate?
Participants who live in one of two communities, are aged 18 years and older and are fluent in English

What does the study involve?
Participants will respond to baseline questions about their background, participate in educational modules and then respond to follow-up assessment questions. This is a study that will compare the exposure of participants to one of two conditions, each of which will include a set of four educational modules presented in groups. In the intervention condition, the participants will learn about age beliefs and ageism. In the comparison condition, participants will learn about local history.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration

Where is the study run from?
The study will be conducted in two communities in Illinois (USA)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2025 to August 2026

Who is funding the study?
Smith Tieken Foundation (USA)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Becca Levy, Becca.Levy@yale.edu

Contact information

Prof Becca Levy
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

Yale School of Public Health
60 College Street
New Haven
06520
United States of America

Phone +1 (0)2039803396
Email becca.levy@yale.edu

Study information

Study designNon-randomized study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Community
Study typeQuality of life
Scientific titleAction community engagement groups of town residents
Study objectivesThe purpose of the study is to implement a project that is based on the components of the age liberation framework, and the research on which it is based, described in Breaking the Age Code: How Your Age Beliefs Determine How Long and Well You Live (Levy, 2022). The project is designed to reduce ageism, which has become a public health crisis.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 24/06/2025, Yale Human Research Protection Program (25 Science Park, New Haven, 06520, United States of America; +1 (0)203 785 4688; HRPP@yale.edu), ref: 2000040054

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAge beliefs and ageism
InterventionThis is a study that will compare the exposure of participants to one of two conditions, each of which will include a set of four educational modules presented in groups. In the intervention condition, the participants will learn about age beliefs and ageism. In the comparison condition, participants will learn about local town history. All participants will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention ends.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureViews of ageing measured by age belief questions asked after the educational modules
Secondary outcome measuresViews of ageism will be measured by open-ended questions about ageism in the environment, asked after the educational modules
Overall study start date24/06/2025
Completion date08/08/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants500
Key inclusion criteriaThe primary participants must be fluent in English and residents of one of the towns we are studying
Key exclusion criteria1. Younger than 18 years
2. Not fluent in English
Date of first enrolment08/08/2025
Date of final enrolment05/02/2026

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United States of America

Study participating centre

Community centers in each town
Illinois
60130
United States of America

Sponsor information

Smith Tieken Foundation
Charity

2158 N Gilbert Rd
Mesa
85203
United States of America

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Smith Tieken Foundation

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/01/2027
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planWe plan to disseminate results through publications and presentations after the study is complete.
IPD sharing planAs some of the participant information may include identifying information, this information will be kept confidential.

Editorial Notes

18/07/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Yale Human Research Protection Program.