Utilizing Age-Friendly Cities and Communities to Support Access to Vaccination, Vision, Hearing and Oral Health Care
1
International Federation on Ageing, Toronto, Canada
2
Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A99
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Population ageing is a global phenomenon, accompanied by rising rates of noncommunicable diseases and sensory impairments. Maintaining health across the life course is essential to maximize the benefits of longer lives and reduce pressures on health systems. Functional ability depends not only on individual factors but also on the surrounding environment. The World Health Organization’s Age-friendly Cities Framework defines age-friendly cities as those that adapt structures and services to be accessible and inclusive for older adults, guided by eight domains, including community support and health services. Despite this link, the framework’s potential to enhance access to key health services, such as immunization and vision, hearing, and oral care, remains underutilized.
METHODS:
This work examines the extent to which age-friendly cities and communities integrate immunization, vision, hearing, and oral health services into their strategies and action plans. A review of 59 strategy and action plans submitted by members of the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) was conducted to identify inclusion of these services within age-friendly planning.
RESULTS:
While many age-friendly initiatives address general health and social support, targeted planning for immunization and sensory health services is limited. Few cities incorporate vision, hearing, or oral health care, and immunization within age-friendly strategies. Nonetheless, several examples demonstrate successful integration of these services, illustrating the potential of age-friendly planning to enhance comprehensive health access.
CONCLUSIONS:
Age-friendly cities provide a platform to promote equitable access to essential health services for older adults. Incorporating immunization, vision, hearing, and oral care into age-friendly strategies can support functional ability, foster healthy ageing, and reduce health system burden through preventive measures. Strategic use of the framework can help cities create inclusive environments that respond to the diverse needs of ageing populations and improve access to critical health services.
Population ageing is a global phenomenon, accompanied by rising rates of noncommunicable diseases and sensory impairments. Maintaining health across the life course is essential to maximize the benefits of longer lives and reduce pressures on health systems. Functional ability depends not only on individual factors but also on the surrounding environment. The World Health Organization’s Age-friendly Cities Framework defines age-friendly cities as those that adapt structures and services to be accessible and inclusive for older adults, guided by eight domains, including community support and health services. Despite this link, the framework’s potential to enhance access to key health services, such as immunization and vision, hearing, and oral care, remains underutilized.
METHODS:
This work examines the extent to which age-friendly cities and communities integrate immunization, vision, hearing, and oral health services into their strategies and action plans. A review of 59 strategy and action plans submitted by members of the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) was conducted to identify inclusion of these services within age-friendly planning.
RESULTS:
While many age-friendly initiatives address general health and social support, targeted planning for immunization and sensory health services is limited. Few cities incorporate vision, hearing, or oral health care, and immunization within age-friendly strategies. Nonetheless, several examples demonstrate successful integration of these services, illustrating the potential of age-friendly planning to enhance comprehensive health access.
CONCLUSIONS:
Age-friendly cities provide a platform to promote equitable access to essential health services for older adults. Incorporating immunization, vision, hearing, and oral care into age-friendly strategies can support functional ability, foster healthy ageing, and reduce health system burden through preventive measures. Strategic use of the framework can help cities create inclusive environments that respond to the diverse needs of ageing populations and improve access to critical health services.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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