Healthcare and Social Needs of Older Adults in Underserved Urban Communities: Insights from Community Health Workers.

IF 4.1 2区 医学 Q1 MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
Arkers Kwan Ching Wong, Tianyi Liu, Luna Ziqi Liu, Jonathan Bayuo, Xingjuan Tao, Frances Kam Yuet Wong
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Abstract

As populations age globally, ensuring equitable healthcare access and social support for older adults in underserved urban areas has become increasingly critical. Elderly residents in low-income districts face challenges, including poor living conditions, social isolation, and healthcare access barriers. Community health workers (CHWs) are vital in bridging these gaps, yet their effectiveness is often Limited by resources and training. This qualitative study explores the healthcare and social needs of elderly residents receiving community services, identifies gaps in support systems, and examines the challenges faced by CHWs in delivering care in an underserved urban district. The study took place in Sham Shui Po, a district in Hong Kong with a high concentration of economically disadvantaged elderly residents. Data were collected through 17 semi-structured interviews with older residents and non-governmental organization (NGO) staff, alongside three focus group discussions with CHWs, and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results showed that senior residents faced poor living conditions, chronic illnesses, and mobility issues, exacerbated by financial constraints and limited healthcare access. Long wait times, transportation challenges, and language barriers hindered medical service use. Many struggled with digital healthcare tools, limiting their ability to manage health independently. CHWs provided vital support but encountered physical strain, inadequate training, and logistical difficulties, highlighting the need for structured training and better resources. Addressing elderly care challenges requires integrated healthcare models, expanded financial and digital literacy programs, and enhanced CHW training and support. Strengthening these areas can improve health outcomes and well-being for aging populations in low-income urban settings.

服务不足的城市社区老年人的医疗保健和社会需求:来自社区卫生工作者的见解。
随着全球人口老龄化,确保在服务不足的城市地区为老年人提供公平的医疗保健和社会支持变得越来越重要。低收入地区的老年居民面临各种挑战,包括恶劣的生活条件、社会隔离和获得医疗保健的障碍。社区卫生工作者在弥合这些差距方面至关重要,但他们的效力往往受到资源和培训的限制。本质性研究探讨了接受社区服务的老年居民的医疗保健和社会需求,确定了支持系统的差距,并探讨了在服务不足的城市地区提供护理的卫生工作者所面临的挑战。这项研究是在香港深水埗进行的,这是一个经济状况不佳的老年居民高度集中的地区。通过17次与老年居民和非政府组织(NGO)工作人员的半结构化访谈,以及3次与卫生工作者的焦点小组讨论,收集数据,并使用主题分析方法进行分析。结果表明,老年居民面临着恶劣的生活条件、慢性疾病和行动问题,经济拮据和医疗保健服务有限加剧了这些问题。漫长的等待时间、交通困难和语言障碍阻碍了医疗服务的使用。许多人在使用数字医疗保健工具时遇到困难,限制了他们独立管理健康的能力。卫生保健员提供了重要的支持,但遇到了体力紧张、培训不足和后勤困难,因此需要有组织的培训和更好的资源。解决老年人护理方面的挑战需要综合医疗模式、扩大金融和数字扫盲计划,以及加强CHW培训和支持。加强这些领域可以改善低收入城市环境中老龄人口的健康结果和福祉。
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来源期刊
Journal of Urban Health-Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine
Journal of Urban Health-Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生
CiteScore
9.10
自引率
3.00%
发文量
105
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: The Journal of Urban Health is the premier and authoritative source of rigorous analyses to advance the health and well-being of people in cities. The Journal provides a platform for interdisciplinary exploration of the evidence base for the broader determinants of health and health inequities needed to strengthen policies, programs, and governance for urban health. The Journal publishes original data, case studies, commentaries, book reviews, executive summaries of selected reports, and proceedings from important global meetings. It welcomes submissions presenting new analytic methods, including systems science approaches to urban problem solving. Finally, the Journal provides a forum linking scholars, practitioners, civil society, and policy makers from the multiple sectors that can influence the health of urban populations.
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