Call for papers - Age-friendly health systems

Guest Editors

Jacobi Elliott, PhD, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Canada
Rose Galvin, PhD, PG Dip Statistics, BSc Physio, University of Limerick, Ireland

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 19 December 2025

BMC Health Services Research is calling for submissions to our Collection, Age-friendly health systems.

This Collection aims to gather research focused on the development and implementation of age-friendly health systems that cater to the unique needs of older adults. We welcome studies that explore interdisciplinary approaches, the differences in health goals between older and younger populations, and various strategies for improving care for older adults. By fostering a deeper understanding of age-friendly healthcare, we seek to improve health outcomes and enhance the overall quality of life for older adults.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Jacobi Elliott, PhD, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Canada

Dr Elliott is an Adjunct Research Professor at Western University (Faculty of Health Sciences & Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry). Dr Elliot is also the Director, Research & Strategy, for the Regional Geriatric Program of Southwestern Ontario (Canada). Jacobi has relevant expertise in health system integration, patient and caregiver engagement, geriatric health system challenges, and mixed methods and case study approaches. In her Director Role, Dr. Elliott works across health care settings, to implement and evaluate best practices related to better caring for older adults and their caregivers.

Rose Galvin, PhD, PG Dip Statistics, BSc Physio, University of Limerick, Ireland

Prof Rose Galvin is a Professor in Physiotherapy and a founding member of the Ageing Research Centre at the University of Limerick. Prof Galvin is a recipient of a prestigious Irish Health Research Board 2020 Research Leader Award (€1.5 million) exploring models of integrated care for older adults following discharge from the Emergency Department.

About the Collection

BMC Health Services Research is calling for submissions to our Collection, Age-friendly health systems.

As the global population ages, the need for age-friendly health systems becomes increasingly urgent. Age-friendly health systems are designed to meet the unique needs of older adults, ensuring that they receive appropriate, effective, and compassionate care. This Collection seeks to explore the various dimensions of age-friendly health systems, including the integration of geriatric principles into healthcare delivery, the role of interdisciplinary teams, and the importance of tailoring services to accommodate the diverse health needs of older populations.

Addressing the challenges faced by older adults in healthcare settings is critical for improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for this demographic. Recent advancements in geriatric care models, technology integration, and patient-centered approaches have shown promising results in enhancing the experience and satisfaction of older patients. By focusing on the unique health goals and preferences of older adults, we can create systems that prioritize their well-being and foster healthier aging.

Continued research in this area can lead to strategies that further refine and develop age-friendly health systems. As we gather evidence on effective practices, we may uncover new frameworks for collaboration among healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients. This knowledge could pave the way for policies that promote equitable access to care and facilitate the integration of supportive services tailored specifically for older adults.

We invite submissions on a range of topics, including but not limited to:

Comparing care received by older adults and younger adults
Improving care for older adults
Differences in health goals of older vs. younger adults
The impact of social determinants of health on older adults
Strategies for enhancing caregiver support and training
Evaluating the effectiveness of age-friendly interventions
Exploring the role of community resources in supporting older adults
Addressing mental health needs within age-friendly health systems

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Age-friendly health systems" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.