The Abuse of Older People as a Public Health Challenge

The abuse of older people is a significant public health and human rights concern in the context of population ageing. It includes physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect, and can occur in community, family, and institutional settings. Evidence links these forms of abuse to adverse physical and mental health outcomes, reduced quality of life, increased use of health and social services, and premature mortality. Yet abuse often remains unrecognized and underreported. Estimates and comparisons across studies are complicated by differences in definitions, methods, settings, and willingness or ability to disclose. Healthcare professionals can play an important role in identifying and responding to abuse, but gaps in awareness, training, and support can make it difficult to recognize and address. Using age-inclusive, person-first language, including the World Health Organization’s preferred phrasing, also supports clear and culturally sensitive communication.This Research Topic aims to strengthen understanding of the abuse of older people as a complex public health and social challenge. It will bring together evidence on its prevalence, burden, risk and protective factors, health consequences, and approaches to recognition, response, and prevention. It also seeks to highlight challenges in community and institutional settings and the contributions of healthcare professionals and interdisciplinary collaboration. Contributions on data-informed approaches and emerging technologies are encouraged, alongside research that can inform practice, services, and policy.To gather further insights into the abuse of older people across community and institutional settings, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Prevalence, epidemiology, and burden- Risk and protective factors, including social determinants of health- Abuse affecting older people living with chronic illness, disability, frailty, or dementia- Recognition, assessment, reporting, and response in healthcare and institutional settings- Healthcare professionals’ roles, training, and support needs- Prevention and intervention strategies across health, social care, and community systems- Physical, mental, and social consequences, including injury and medico-legal perspectives- Digital, financial, and technology-facilitated abuse- Interdisciplinary approaches involving public health, healthcare, social care, criminology, legal medicine, and policy- Data-driven methods, health informatics, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies for prevention, detection, and response Topic editors: Lucia Tattoli, Ronald Acierno, Gorazd Mesko Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86962/the-abuse-of-older-people-as-a-public-health-challenge