1. Exploring interconnections: A comprehensive multi-country analysis of climate change, energy demand, long-term care, and health of older adults.
- Author
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Katsaros, Keriin, Marggraf, Clemens, Ebi, Kristie L., Buyana, Kareem, Hashizume, Masahiro, Lung, Shih-Chun Candice, Murray, Virginia, Thiam, Sokhna, and Huang-Lachmann, Jo-Ting
- Subjects
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OLDER people , *SUSTAINABILITY , *ENERGY consumption , *CLIMATE change , *CLIMATE extremes , *HEALTH policy - Abstract
• The complex interconnectedness of climate change, energy demand, and health and long-term care poses current and future cascading challenges for the resilience of older people. • Key interconnections include a concern for the impact of frequent and intense weather events parallel to a global increase in life expectancy and social justice issues connected with strained resources and public infrastructure. • Comprehensive, targeted policies are needed on the national and global level that incentivize sustainable practices, enhance climate resilience, and support vulnerable populations in the Global South, and that mitigate the social justice implications of climate change for older adults. Challenges faced by many countries are energy insecurity, climate change, and the health and long-term care of growing numbers of older people. These challenges are increasingly intersecting with rising energy prices, aging populations, and an increased frequency and intensity of extreme climate events. This paper gives a deeper understanding of the current and predicted interconnections among these challenges through narrative-driven content and thematic analysis from workshops with a diverse group of international stakeholders from the Global North and Global South. Narratives emerged highlighting a complex nexus of interconnections and presenting critical action areas. Targeted local and global policies and interventions are needed to alleviate stress on health systems, encourage the integrated uptake of clean energy sources, and uphold social justice across all economies. Professionals can use this work to inform the design and implementation of effective interventions and increase the resilience of older adults by better preparing for systemic risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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