Common Health Concerns in Older Women: Hormonal, Metabolic, Psychological, and Lifestyle Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

In modern society, across the world, middle-aged and older women are experiencing major lifestyle and hormonal changes that interact with increasing psychosocial stressors (including media overload, social isolation, and the emotional demands of rapidly changing environments). These factors can affect neuroendocrine balance, which in turn contributes to sleep disturbances, psychological stress, and metabolic dysregulation. During menopausal transition and aging, hormonal and metabolic alterations converge with these neurophysiological and behavioral changes, heightening the risk of overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and depression. Understanding these interrelated clinical and behavioral processes is crucial in improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies to promote health and quality of life in older women.

This Special Issue will explore the hormonal, metabolic, psychological, and lifestyle determinants that influence health and disease in midlife and older women. In line with the multidisciplinary scope of Healthcare, we welcome studies integrating clinical, physiological, psychosocial, and behavioral perspectives to advance our understanding of the complex mind–body interactions underlying women’s health during the climacteric and postmenopausal stages. We particularly encourage submissions employing innovative and integrative approaches (for example, assessments using heart rate variability, clinical screening tools, physical performance tests, or health monitoring systems).

Suggested Themes and Article Types

For this Special Issue, original research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, stress, hormonal, metabolic, and lifestyle determinants of women health and disease during menopause and aging and obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk in older women, as well as physical activity, exercise, and rehabilitation programs. Studies addressing nutrition, sleep, and circadian health are also encouraged, along with research taking a mind–body approach (for example, mindfulness and meditation) to explore relevant health outcomes, including stress perception, cardiovascular metabolic health, mental health status, and translational, community-based, or lifestyle interventions that promote healthy aging.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. María Raquel Huerta-Franco
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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