Dr Madhan Balasubramanian and Associate Professor Angie Shafei from the College of Business, Government and Law healthcare management team have played crucial roles in the editorial team steering a newly published Frontiers in Public Health and Health Service Management special issue titled “Innovations in Older Adult Care and Health Service Management: A Focus on the Asia Pacific”, which casts a spotlight on pressing challenges faced in aged care throughout the Asia Pacific region.This issue features 12 original research articles, one short report and one perspective piece that provide insights from nine countries across the region – Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.The research encompasses several innovative care models, such as Vietnam’s intergenerational self-help clubs, the Republic of Korea’s AI-based smart care systems, and Australia’s infection control training programs in the wake of COVID-19. Additional studies delve into the stigma faced by older adults with COVID-19 in Bangladesh, the economic analysis of home-based care models in China, and the influence of the United Nations Healthy Aging agenda in India.Key themes that have emerged from this issue include service redesign, training for healthcare providers, a transition towards community and home-based care, and the adaptation of successful global frameworks and instruments.
Since this Frontiers special issue was commissioned in July 2022, the initiative has engaged regional country leads to foster issue promotion and enhance social impact by quickly spreading research findings. This approach has paid off, with the issue amassing 14,913 views and 3,850 downloads over the past year and a half.It is now remarkable to note that various countries are thoughtfully revising and enhancing their traditional systems of older adult care to meet modern needs while preserving cultural integrity.The Frontiers Special Issue can be accessed issue through this link. This series will continue with a specific focus on China next month.