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Implementation of the World Health Organization Age-Friendly Principles: A Case Study from Portugal

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  • Jéssica Tavares

    (Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Gonçalo Santinha

    (Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Nelson Pacheco Rocha

    (Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro (IEETA), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

Abstract

Demographic ageing has emphasized the need to adapt current healthcare systems to the comorbidity profile of older adults. In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Age-Friendly Principles, but the approach to their implementation in the health systems still remains uncertain. This article intends to address this gap by assessing how the Principles are perceived and implemented in the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS), where this topic has recently been placed on the political agenda. A questionnaire survey was administered to primary care directors and hospital administrators, covering a total of 173 health units. Findings show that most respondents are unaware of the WHO Principles (71%) and do not identify the current organizational structure of care as a problem for the provision of care (80%). However, the implementation of the WHO Principles is lower than desired, especially regarding professional training and the management system (50% and 28% of the criteria are implemented, respectively). These criteria defined by the WHO are implemented in a reduced number of health units, as opposed to the physical environment where implementation is more widespread (64%). Accordingly, further dissemination and implementation support in the national territory are needed in order to improve the health outcomes of older adults and increase the performance of health units.

Suggested Citation

  • Jéssica Tavares & Gonçalo Santinha & Nelson Pacheco Rocha, 2023. "Implementation of the World Health Organization Age-Friendly Principles: A Case Study from Portugal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:15:p:6532-:d:1211220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Loi Tan Nguyen & Phouthakannha Nantharath & Eungoo Kang, 2022. "The Sustainable Care Model for an Ageing Population in Vietnam: Evidence from a Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Yingzhu Yang & Rong Zheng & Lexiang Zhao, 2021. "Population Aging, Health Investment and Economic Growth: Based on a Cross-Country Panel Data Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Diane Stone, 2012. "Transfer and translation of policy," Policy Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(6), pages 483-499.
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    1. Jéssica Tavares & Gonçalo Santinha & Nelson Pacheco Rocha, 2023. "Unlocking the WHO’s Age-Friendly Healthcare Principles: Portugal’s Quest and Recommendations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-24, November.

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