Analyses on Health Status and Care Needs among Older Adults

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Background

Globally, a shift in population structures and disease spectrum is inevitable. The latest global burden of disease study revealed that the average healthy life expectancy has steadily increased from 1990 to 2019 worldwide. However, there is a concerning trend in which the growth in healthy life expectancy is lower than the growth in life expectancy in 198 out of 204 countries evaluated. This implies that people spend more time in sub-optimal health, despite living longer. Moreover, non-communicable diseases contribute an increasingly significant portion of the disease burden in low- and middle-income countries, growing from one-third to almost two-thirds from 1990 to 2019. This mainly results from preventable risk factors.

It is important to approach aging with a positive outlook. This entails guaranteeing sufficient medical care and proactively managing health issues in older adults. Importantly, since several diseases are often irreversible, prevention is key. Social and psychological factors, due to their nebulous harm, have struggled to gain attention over a long period. We should aim to make the additional years gained during old age as healthful as those in other life stages.

Numerous studies have explored the relationship between social and psychological factors and the health of older adults. Nevertheless, there is still scope for further discussion in the following areas:
1.There's a need for a more comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms involved, which will not only improve the study's applicability in the real world but also aid policymakers in informed decision-making.
2.Older adults tend to be more engaged within their community due to the absence of family life. However, expanded knowledge about community care and support needs further research.
3.A potential reverse causal relationship might exist between older adults' health and their care needs, influencing their attitudes towards and usage of community care services. Research focusing on the care needs of older adults can assist policymakers in optimizing funding allocation and safeguarding their health rights.

Please read the scope of our section before submitting to this research topic. We encourage the submission of different article types to this collection, especially Original Research, Review, and Systematic Review. Submission topics may include, but are not limited to:
• Analyzing the social factors that affect the health status of older adults
• Determining the positive effects of active aging
• Evaluating the current status and distinct characteristics of care requirements
• Forecasting the future trajectory of care needs
• Investigating the social factors that impact the care needs of older adults.

Please note that this section adheres to The Gerontological Society of America Reframing Aging Journal Manuscript Guidelines advice against ageist language. For example, the guidelines emphasize supporting a more inclusive image of aging. Terms such as “older adult,” “older persons,” or “older people” are the preferred terms for describing individuals aged 65 years and older as opposed to “seniors,” “the elderly,” and “the aged.” Use of this recommended language will be a criteria for acceptance and you can view an example of these guidelines here. Additionally, please refer to APA guidelines (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE GUIDELINES) for more guidance about inclusionary language.

Keywords: health status, care needs, older adults, health inequality, active aging

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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