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Travel, Health, and Wellness of Older Adults

Special Issue Editor

Department of Health & Wellness Design, Indiana University School of Public Health Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
Interests: travel participation of people with disability; travel experiences of people with disability and older adults

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an increasingly aging world, the decline in physical functions and rise of chronic illnesses have emerged as significant public health concerns. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia disproportionately affect older adults. As life expectancy continues to rise, healthcare costs are imposing substantial economic strains on many nations. Therefore, the promotion of healthy aging is becoming a paramount objective for public health efforts aimed at the aging populace. 

Recent research suggests a promising link between travel, particularly leisure travel, and improved health outcomes. These benefits include the potential for travel to facilitate physical activity, cognitive engagement and social interactions. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of robust scientific research that substantiates the specific health outcomes of travel for older adults. 

The primary aim of this Special Issue is to catalyze innovative research endeavors that investigate the potential positive impacts of travel on the health, wellness and quality of life of older adults. The scope of submitted articles is broad, encompassing a diverse array of topics, provided they contribute to understanding the senior travel experience, and the intricate relationship between travel and the health and wellness of older adults. In addition, articles on pioneering programs and technological interventions that encourage travel among older adults, as well as those exploring the travel initiatives designed to promote healthy aging, are also welcomed. 

Dr. Shu Cole
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aging
  • chronic health conditions
  • cognitive health
  • disability
  • emotional health
  • health and wellness
  • healthcare
  • life satisfaction
  • physical health
  • quality of life
  • senior tourism
  • social engagement
  • travel behavior and motivation
  • travel experiences

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 987 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Relationship of Leisure Travel with Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults
by Shu Cole, Chenggang Hua, Siyun Peng and Weixuan Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040498 - 18 Apr 2024
Viewed by 708
Abstract
Loneliness, depression, and cognitive decline are pressing concerns among older adults. This study examines the association between leisure travel participation and these health outcomes in older adults, aiming to provide further evidence of the benefits of leisure travel. Using nationally representative historical data [...] Read more.
Loneliness, depression, and cognitive decline are pressing concerns among older adults. This study examines the association between leisure travel participation and these health outcomes in older adults, aiming to provide further evidence of the benefits of leisure travel. Using nationally representative historical data from the 2006 household survey of the Health and Retirement Study, this study conducted a series of regression analyses to investigate the relationship between traveling and the three health outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, race, marital status, education, total wealth, annual income, and difficulty with daily activities. The results reveal that travel patterns in terms of distance are significantly associated with loneliness, depression, and cognitive function. Long-distance travel is positively related to higher cognitive function and a reduction in depressive symptoms, along with lower levels of loneliness, reinforcing the notion that leisure travel can potentially act as a catalyst for improved cognitive and mental health by offering opportunities for enhancing social connections and forming new relationships. The findings on the relationships between participation in leisure travel and mental and cognitive health contribute to the body of evidence supporting the therapeutic value of leisure travel in promoting healthy aging and enhancing the overall well-being in older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Travel, Health, and Wellness of Older Adults)
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