Environments for healthy ageing: a critical review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Population health is influenced by complex interactions between individuals and their environments.
• Research on environmental impacts on health is growing, but often overlooks older adults.
• Older adults are particularly vulnerable to environmental characteristics affecting their health and functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current health literature on physical environments for healthy aging.
• To utilize the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework for the review.
• To identify limitations in current research and suggest future directions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing health literature on physical environments and aging.
• Application of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
• Analysis of conceptual and methodological limitations in the reviewed studies.

Main Results:

• The literature emphasizes the importance of supportive, barrier-free environments for healthy aging.
• Supportive environments are particularly beneficial for older adults at higher risk for disability and poor health.
• Key limitations include neglected mechanisms, lack of representative samples, reliance on cross-sectional data, and poor measurement of person-centered environments.

Conclusions:

• Supportive and accessible physical environments are vital for promoting healthy aging and reducing health disparities.
• Future research should address the identified limitations, focusing on mechanisms, representative samples, longitudinal data, and person-centered environmental measures.
• Enhancing the understanding of person-environment interactions is critical for developing effective public health strategies for older adults.