By 2050, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be over the age of 65. The population aged 80 and above will triple in the next 30 years. In 2050, 80% of the older population will reside in low- and middle-income countries. Population aging has become a global phenomenon and public health consequences related to global aging are not only related to disease burden caused by noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) but also psychosocial factors.
Loneliness and social isolation have been identified as one of the most important psychosocial barriers for healthy aging: more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly 25% of adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated. There has been strong evidence showing that loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased risk of premature death and multiple NCDs including dementia, cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders. In addition, lonely and social isolated old people reported more health care service utilization. Therefore, a better understanding of the determinants, consequences and intervention of loneliness and social isolation is the key to a healthy future for the increasing elderly population globally.
In order to capture global efforts and novel approaches in this global health topic, BMC Global and Public Health is pleased to announce a call for papers for our upcoming collection entitled ‘Loneliness and social isolation: public health concerns in an aging world', guest edited by Dr. Xinyi Zhu, from the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
Addressing social isolation and loneliness among aging populations is crucial for promoting health and well-being and advancing global efforts toward sustainable development and reducing inequalities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based research, this Collection aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of these issues and facilitate the development of effective interventions and policies. This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
We are now inviting the submission of manuscripts of outstanding interest covering the breadth of multi-disciplinary studies, ranging from epidemiology and health outcomes to psychosocial factors and interventions.
We encourage submissions that address the following themes:
• Prevalence and trends of social isolation and loneliness among older adults
• Socioeconomic determinants and disparities in social isolation and loneliness
• Psychosocial factors contributing to social isolation and loneliness in aging populations
• Health consequences and outcomes associated with social isolation and loneliness
• Interventions and strategies for preventing loneliness and promoting social connection.
• Utilization of technology and digital solutions to combat social isolation and loneliness in older adults
• Policy implications and recommendations for addressing social isolation and loneliness at a population level
We encourage work from local, regional, and global partnerships and collaboration among scientists from multi-disciplinary fields and using multiple methodologies. We ask that authors be attentive to the use of non-stigmatizing/preferred language in their manuscripts as outlined in relevant language guidelines for their respective fields.
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