Health needs of older people and age-inclusive health care in humanitarian emergencies in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Abstract

Health needs of older people in humanitarian settings are poorly documented, negatively affecting the appropriateness of health services they receive. This Review identified the major health needs of older people across humanitarian contexts, including non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions (eg, psychological distress and depression). Barriers to health care of older people included inaccessibility of health-care services; shortage of appropriate health care; insufficient availability of medications and medical equipment; poor geriatric expertise of health-care staff, health policy makers, and health authorities; and age discrimination by health-care personnel. Individual factors included low mobility, poor health literacy, dependence on others for access to care, and self-directed ageism. The participation of older people in shaping health-care services was highlighted as a facilitator of age-inclusive care. Several understudied areas related to the health needs of older people in humanitarian emergencies in low-income and middle-income countries were exposed. We urge governments, academic institutions, humanitarian organisations, and other health-care providers to focus their response and research efforts on the health needs of older people in conflict settings; the health needs of older people in humanitarian emergencies in understudied regions; and on neglected issues such as communicable diseases, cancer, neurocognitive disorders, sexual and reproductive health, genitourinary conditions, and nutrition. The participation of older people in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health-care services is essential to ensure accessibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of care.