Key Issues in Current Health Research: Ageing–Health–Equity

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue will bring together selected papers presented at the Conference "Key Issues in Current Health Research: Ageing–Health–Equity", in Bremen, 29–30 June, 2017, as well as other papers fitting the themes of this Special Issue.

Demographic change and the evolving demands on healthcare systems, especially the provision of healthcare and nursing care for a growing number of older people, are among the greatest social challenges of the next decades. The pursuit of health equity in ageing societies raises several questions: On the one hand, there are persisting health inequities related to a social gradient in health. On the other hand, as resources are limited, social challenges to healthcare and the healthcare system will always entail questions of distributive justice.

With the conference on Ageing, Health and Equity, the High Profile Research Area Health Sciences of the University of Bremen has established a forum for discussing these key challenges of healthcare in ageing societies. A common focus is on disparities in healthcare and equity requirements.

The conference focuses on four main topics that shall be reflected in the Special Issue:

• Health–equity–health inequalities: This may comprise questions concerning concept for reducing health inequalities, international comparisons of health inequalities and analyses of the persistence of health inequalities.
• Qualification requirements and training of healthcare professionals: The focus is on the analysis and international comparison of concepts and programmes to meet the growing demand for skilled workers for ageing populations.
• Prevention–Healthy Ageing: Including determinants of healthy ageing, access to health services, evaluation of preventive interventions that may reinforce inequalities.
• Ageing and Diversity: Requirements for health services: This includes questions of participatory approaches as well as the analysis of access barriers for specific groups of people such as the growing group of elderly migrants.

The four topics are linked by their common perspective on health equity issues.  The conference aims to analyze current developments, as well as possible solutions and action strategies. Papers are invited that focus on research obstacles, and how to overcome them, as well as new methodological concepts, technological developments and innovative solutions. Papers not related to the conference but fitting the scope are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Hajo Zeeb
Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Darmann-Finck
Guest editors

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