Economic and Social Factors Affecting the Health of Older Adults

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Editorial

22 November 2023

Editorial: Economic and social factors affecting the health of older adults

Colette J. Browning

,

Katherine H. Leith

and

Shane A. Thomas

4,635 views

1 citations

Editors

3

Colette Joy Browning

Federation University Australia

Katherine Henrietta Leith

University of South Carolina

Shane Andrew Thomas

Federation University Australia

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In 2020 over 1 billion of the world’s population were over the age of 60 years old, and it is expected to double by 2050 according to WHO. Due to the growing population of older adults, there is a focus on healthy aging that will benefit the individuals and the wider communities as older adults will be able to support family members and partake in paid or voluntary work for a longer period of time. Currently a large number of older adults are unable to work, increasing the likelihood of economic instability with fewer streams of income. Economic instability has been proven to have health impacts including declining mental wellbeing, malnutrition, and the inability to afford prescribed medications. Social isolation proves to be another important factor in the overall health of older adults. The CDC reports that poor social interactions have been linked to a higher risk of developing multiple serious medical conditions.

Healthy aging for the growing population of older adults is essential to nurture the physical and mental health among older adults. It is important to explore the socioeconomic factors that effect the overall health of older adults, highlighting the areas that need to be explored further. The goal of this Research Topic is to gather papers that discuss the impact of socioeconomic factors on the health status of older adults, such as income, social support, health literacy, health expenses, and mental wellbeing. Manuscripts that should be submitted can be based on, but not limited to:

• How does health literacy effect socioeconomic status;

• Social support and loneliness in older adults and the effects on health;

• Social and economic factors that affect mental wellbeing in older adults;

• The relationship between health status and socioeconomic status; and

• The impact of healthcare expenses on older adults.

In 2020 over 1 billion of the world’s population were over the age of 60 years old, and it is expected to double by 2050 according to WHO. Due to the growing population of older adults, there is a focus on healthy aging that will benefit the individuals and the wider communities as older adults will be able to support family members and partake in paid or voluntary work for a longer period of time. Currently a large number of older adults are unable to work, increasing the likelihood of economic instability with fewer streams of income. Economic instability has been proven to have health impacts including declining mental wellbeing, malnutrition, and the inability to afford prescribed medications. Social isolation proves to be another important factor in the overall health of older adults. The CDC reports that poor social interactions have been linked to a higher risk of developing multiple serious medical conditions.

Healthy aging for the growing population of older adults is essential to nurture the physical and mental health among older adults. It is important to explore the socioeconomic factors that effect the overall health of older adults, highlighting the areas that need to be explored further. The goal of this Research Topic is to gather papers that discuss the impact of socioeconomic factors on the health status of older adults, such as income, social support, health literacy, health expenses, and mental wellbeing. Manuscripts that should be submitted can be based on, but not limited to:

• How does health literacy effect socioeconomic status;

• Social support and loneliness in older adults and the effects on health;

• Social and economic factors that affect mental wellbeing in older adults;

• The relationship between health status and socioeconomic status; and

• The impact of healthcare expenses on older adults.

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Editors

Colette Joy Browning

Federation University Australia

Katherine Henrietta Leith

University of South Carolina

Shane Andrew Thomas

Federation University Australia

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134,350 Total views

92,379 Article views

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3,377 Topic views

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Frontiers in Public Health

Aging and Public Health

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