Khan Hafiz T A, Addo Kwaku Mari, Findlay Helen
Public Health Group College of Nursing Midwifery and Healthcare University of West London London UK.
Oxford Institute of Population Ageing University of Oxford Oxford UK.
Public Health Chall. 2024 Jul 21;3(3):e213. doi: 10.1002/puh2.213. eCollection 2024 Sep.
Human populations are rapidly ageing worldwide due to declining birth rates and rising life expectancies. This profound demographic shift presents complex public health challenges. Synthesizing evidence on key public health issues impacting ageing populations and policy strategies is required to address these needs.
The study employs narrative literature review based on the PubMed database. Data have been extracted on public health challenges to ageing populations and its recommended policy solutions.
The key public health challenges identified include rising chronic disease burden, risks for preventable multi-morbidities and co-morbidities, disability and dependencies, mental health issues, caregiving gaps, long-term care system deficiencies, health inequities, healthcare access barriers, end-of-life care needs, financial instability, ageism/elder abuse, adverse built environments, climate/disaster threats, and social isolation. Evidence-based policy responses span interventions in healthcare, social services, urban planning, emergency preparedness, economics, technology, anti-ageism advocacy and so on.
Proactively addressing the array of public health challenges faced by rapidly growing ageing populations globally requires implementing collaborative, multisectoral policy solutions focused on promoting healthy, equitable, and socially engaged ageing. Healthcare systems, communities, and policies must be optimized to meet the needs of elderly people and tap into their strengths.
由于出生率下降和预期寿命延长，全球人口正在迅速老龄化。这一深刻的人口结构转变带来了复杂的公共卫生挑战。需要综合有关影响老年人口的关键公共卫生问题和政策策略的证据，以满足这些需求。
本研究采用基于PubMed数据库的叙述性文献综述。提取了有关老年人口公共卫生挑战及其推荐政策解决方案的数据。
确定的关键公共卫生挑战包括慢性病负担增加、可预防的多种疾病和合并症风险、残疾和依赖、心理健康问题、护理差距、长期护理系统缺陷、健康不平等、医疗保健获取障碍、临终护理需求、金融不稳定、年龄歧视/虐待老年人、不良的建筑环境、气候/灾害威胁以及社会隔离。基于证据的政策应对措施包括医疗保健、社会服务、城市规划、应急准备、经济、技术、反年龄歧视宣传等方面的干预措施。
要积极应对全球快速增长的老年人口所面临的一系列公共卫生挑战，需要实施协作性、多部门政策解决方案，重点是促进健康、公平和社会参与型老龄化。必须优化医疗保健系统、社区和政策，以满足老年人的需求并发挥他们的优势。
