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Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Digital Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 June 2023) | Viewed by 18085

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
2. Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: mHealth; smart built environments; digital integrated care; big data management; data risk stratification; AI to service provision

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Smart, healthy, age-friendly environments (SHAFE) foster and promote social participation, independent living, equity and opportunities for sustainable growth for all. They can help improve and support people throughout their life, regardless of age, gender, disabilities, cultural differences and personal choices. Different sectors (ICT, building, urban planning and health and social care industries), in alliance with citizens and their communities, are making efforts worldwide to address the challenges that hinder the creation and implementation of smart, healthy and inclusive environments for present and future generations.

This new concept was created in 2017 based on the desire to implement Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE) across Europe, fostering happier and healthier people in all communities. This idea took shape and became a solid movement.

SHAFE began as a Thematic Network which was approved by the European Commission. It aimed to draw policy makers, organisations and citizens’ attention to the need for better alignment between health, social care, built environments and ICT, both in policy and funding. The network delivered a Joint Statement and a Framing Paper in December 2018 to the European Commission and Member States.

After this, SHAFE evolved into a European Stakeholders Network, with its roots in the holistic age-friendly environments concept developed by the World Health Organization in 2007. Recently, it has further developed into the new era of digitalisation and health. The network is currently being leveraged by the COST Action NET4Age-Friendly, which involves around 320 participants in 46 countries, aiming to overcome fragmentation and critical gaps at both conceptual and pragmatic innovation levels, to promote responsive, inclusive and sustainable environments responding to future research-policy requirements of Europe.

To make SHAFE environments a reality, new interdisciplinary research approaches need to be established that are better aligned with the multidimensional needs of specific settings and target populations. SHAFE approaches are implemented in complex environments where several challenges may hinder, to differing extents, the full deployment of innovative solutions. These challenges include the need to respond to the highest ethical, legal and privacy/data management standards and requirements, the organizational and budgetary challenges of social and health systems, and the unacceptance, or lack of adaptation or access, by stakeholders, including both citizens and professionals. These issues define the ontology of new SHAFE. We need to build capacity in secondary use of data to address health threats and to cocreate by user-centered design, and to this purpose it is important to build quadruple-helix ecosystems (citizens, public authorities, business and science) to realize SHAFE communities. Advanced research methodology across disciplines will drive progress for smart, healthy, age-friendly solutions supporting  integrated care, wellbeing throughout life, buildings and spaces retrofitted for independent living, risk stratification for proactive intervention, adequate skills for citizens and professionals, successful working ecosystems, and sustainable business models for the future. This special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601) dedicated to the section "Digital Health", titled "Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies", has been developed around the concepts of Smart Health Age-Friendly Environments, to foster interdisciplinary research approaches that address the challenges of SHAFE transformation. Especially those combining a high academic standard coupled with practical implementation piloting, experience and scale up, thus providing an opportunity for sharing innovative good practices to make SHAFE environments a reality.

Dr. Maddalena Illario
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

  • smart built environments
  • digital integrated care
  • big data management
  • data risk stratification
  • AI to service provision
  • new skills in digital world
  • new skills for new jobs in the digital world
  • user- centered codesign
  • urban complex ecosystems
  • long-term sustainable future
  • costs benefit and avoided costs
  • physical/virtual organizational processes
  • transition management
  • change management
  • interdisciplinary training and education
  • digital physical activity
  • innovative approaches for prevention of frailty (prevention of frailty)
  • mHealth
  • transgenerational environments
  • social/spatial interactions
  • friendly living settlements
  • co-living scenarios
  • ethical excellence

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 862 KiB  
Article
SHAFE Mapping on Social Innovation Ecosystems
by Carina Dantas, Juliana Louceiro, Joana Vieira, Willeke van Staalduinen, Oscar Zanutto and Karolina Mackiewicz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010118 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2045
Abstract
There have been several initiatives aiming to promote innovation and support stakeholders to increase investments in relevant societal areas connected to Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments—SHAFE. However, their impact usually runs shorter than desirable in the mid- and long-term due to the difficulty to [...] Read more.
There have been several initiatives aiming to promote innovation and support stakeholders to increase investments in relevant societal areas connected to Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments—SHAFE. However, their impact usually runs shorter than desirable in the mid- and long-term due to the difficulty to identify, map, and connect stakeholders in the different European and world countries that are willing to work for the practical implementation of social innovation around SHAFE. This mapping and connection can contribute to increase awareness of innovation actors on social innovation concepts and, if well disseminated, may also leverage the creation of alliances and synergies between different stakeholders within ecosystems and between ecosystems. Understanding what relevant practices exist, how they are funded, and how they involve citizens and organisations is also key to ensure that business actors have access to social innovation and entrepreneurial knowledge, which is key for future sustainable societal change. The present study developed and implemented a survey replied by 61 organisations from 28 different countries. The results showed relevant inputs regarding different cultural and societal perceptions, including diverse end-user organisations, and will, thus, facilitate multistakeholder engagement, public awareness, and the overall upscaling of social innovation on SHAFE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies)
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15 pages, 861 KiB  
Article
Enabling Value Co-Creation in Healthcare through Blockchain Technology
by Tiziana Russo-Spena, Cristina Mele, Ylenia Cavacece, Sara Ebraico, Carina Dantas, Pedro Roseiro and Willeke van Staalduinen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010067 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2751
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to manage complex relations within the healthcare ecosystem. The role of new technologies in achieving this goal is a topic of current interest. Among them, blockchain technology is experiencing widespread application in the healthcare context. The present [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to manage complex relations within the healthcare ecosystem. The role of new technologies in achieving this goal is a topic of current interest. Among them, blockchain technology is experiencing widespread application in the healthcare context. The present work investigates how this technology fosters value co-creation paths in the new digital healthcare ecosystems. To this end, a multiple case study has been conducted examining the development and application of blockchain by 32 healthcare tech companies. The results show blockchain technology adoption’s current and potential impacts on value co-creation regarding data and resource sharing, patient participation, and collaboration between professionals. Three main areas of activity emerge from the case studies where blockchain implementation brings significant benefits for value co-creation: improving service interaction, impacting actors’ engagement, and fostering ecosystem transparency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies)
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26 pages, 925 KiB  
Article
Benefits of a Wearable Activity Tracker with Safety Features for Older Adults: An Intervention Study
by Simona Hvalič-Touzery, Mojca Šetinc and Vesna Dolničar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315723 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2274
Abstract
Accidental falls and physical inactivity are important age-related issues for which smart technologies have demonstrated potential utility. This research aimed to explore the benefits of combining wearable activity monitors and telecare for older adults. A four-month interventional study was conducted between June 2021 [...] Read more.
Accidental falls and physical inactivity are important age-related issues for which smart technologies have demonstrated potential utility. This research aimed to explore the benefits of combining wearable activity monitors and telecare for older adults. A four-month interventional study was conducted between June 2021 and February 2022 in Slovenia. A purposive sample of 22 dyads of older adults aged 60 years and over and their relatives or family members used a wearable GoLiveClip device. The Pillar Integration Process was used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data. Seven pillars emerged: (1) the use of smart technologies as a motivator for physical activity; (2) factors related to smart technology use affecting physical activity levels; (3) increased usefulness of smart technologies for users who completed the study; (4) activity monitoring as the most useful functionality of the solution; (5) the influence of technical problems on usefulness; (6) the influence of age and previous experience with smart technologies on usefulness; and (7) moderate psychological effects of smart technology use. Activity trackers were found to effectively promote physical activity in older adults, and safety features were shown to be an important part of the solution, regardless of health status or physical activity level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies)
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Review

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32 pages, 4009 KiB  
Review
Assessment Tools of Biopsychosocial Frailty Dimensions in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Narrative Review
by Vincenzo De Luca, Grazia Daniela Femminella, Roberta Patalano, Valeria Formosa, Grazia Lorusso, Cristiano Rivetta, Federica Di Lullo, Lorenzo Mercurio, Teresa Rea, Elena Salvatore, Nilufer Korkmaz Yaylagul, Joao Apostolo, Rosa Carla Silva, Carina Dantas, Willeke H. van Staalduinen, Giuseppe Liotta, Guido Iaccarino, Maria Triassi and Maddalena Illario
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16050; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316050 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7128
Abstract
Frailty is a complex interplay between several factors, including physiological changes in ageing, multimorbidities, malnutrition, living environment, genetics, and lifestyle. Early screening for frailty risk factors in community-dwelling older people allows for preventive interventions on the clinical and social determinants of frailty, which [...] Read more.
Frailty is a complex interplay between several factors, including physiological changes in ageing, multimorbidities, malnutrition, living environment, genetics, and lifestyle. Early screening for frailty risk factors in community-dwelling older people allows for preventive interventions on the clinical and social determinants of frailty, which allows adverse events to be avoided. By conducting a narrative review of the literature employing the International Narrative Systematic Assessment tool, the authors aimed to develop an updated framework for the main measurement tools to assess frailty risks in older adults, paying attention to use in the community and primary care settings. This search focused on the biopsychosocial domains of frailty that are covered in the SUNFRAIL tool. The study selected 178 reviews (polypharmacy: 20; nutrition: 13; physical activity: 74; medical visits: 0; falls: 39; cognitive decline: 12; loneliness: 15; social support: 5; economic constraints: 0) published between January 2010 and December 2021. Within the selected reviews, 123 assessment tools were identified (polypharmacy: 15; nutrition: 15; physical activity: 25; medical visits: 0; falls: 26; cognitive decline: 18; loneliness: 9; social support: 15; economic constraints: 0). The narrative review allowed us to evaluate assessment tools of frailty domains to be adopted for multidimensional health promotion and prevention interventions in community and primary care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies)
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13 pages, 3563 KiB  
Review
Food Accessibility in the Suburbs of the Metropolitan City of Antwerp (Belgium): A Factor of Concern in Local Public Health and Active and Healthy Aging
by Bart Geurden, Jeroen Cant and Joris Beckers
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15754; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315754 - 26 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2128
Abstract
Population aging and declining birth rates are key demographic trends of the 21st century. While the overall life expectancy and healthy life years increase, the quality of life and functional capacity worsens due to non-communicable diseases strongly related to aging. Therefore, aging citizens [...] Read more.
Population aging and declining birth rates are key demographic trends of the 21st century. While the overall life expectancy and healthy life years increase, the quality of life and functional capacity worsens due to non-communicable diseases strongly related to aging. Therefore, aging citizens are often vulnerable to food insecurity. The aim of this paper is to provide insights into the physical accessibility of fresh food and possible alternatives within the setting of an aging society in Antwerp (Belgium), a metropolitan city at the heart of the EU Reference Site ‘Three Rivers Food Delta’. We demonstrate that a large number of the Antwerp suburban areas in which 15 to 25% of current inhabitants are already over 65 years old are confronted with problematic physical accessibility of food due to long walking distances to the nearest food shop. E-commerce has the potential to provide better access to fresh food. This is especially relevant for people with specific needs, such as health-related diets, dysphagia, and/or limited mobility. However, e-commerce introduces new inequalities, as those who would benefit the most from digital accessibility currently use it least. Hence, the organization of fresh food access requires a more thoughtful organization of the ‘last mile’ and possible alternatives to home delivery. This makes food accessibility an urgent factor of concern in public health and healthy aging in the Antwerp suburban areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Smart Built Inclusive Societies)
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