Introduction: Disease and Disability
摘要
Elderly health and well-being are determined by a wide range of social, economic, demographic, and biological factors. The chapters in this section provide vital insights into various dimensions of the diseases and disabilities among the elderly population. The evidence from quantitative analysis identify cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes, and digestive ailments as the dominant health concerns. These health challenges are contextualized within broader social determinants such as poverty, behavioral risk factors, inadequate social insurance, and limited healthcare access to comprehend its manifestations in a state of relative deprivation. Economic dependency emerges as a critical concern, with substantial gender disparities evident in financial vulnerability among the elderly. Specific elderly subgroups face pronounced vulnerabilities, including migrants who experience elevated risks of cognitive impairment, and widows who encounter severe food insecurity due to socioeconomic indicators, health conditions, and inadequate social welfare benefits. This underscores the need for an expanded social security coverage, enhanced healthcare provisions, and comprehensive data systems to inform evidence-based interventions for improving elderly health and well-being outcomes.