Older People, Mobility and Transport in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of the Research

Abstract

Older populations are rising globally, which in high-income countries has helped to generate a growing literature on the impact of ageing on travel requirements and transport policy. This article aims to provide an initial assessment of the state of knowledge on the impact on transportation policy and usage of the increasing numbers of older people in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs), through a review of the literature relating to older people and transportation. As both the academic and policy/practice-related literature specifically addressing ageing and transport in LAMICs is limited, the study looks beyond transportation to assess the state of knowledge regarding the ways in which older people’s mobility is affected by issues, such as health, well-being, social (dis)engagement and gender. We find significant knowledge gaps, resulting in an evidence base to support the implementation of policy is lacking. Most research in low-income countries (LICs) is either broad quantitative analysis based on national survey data or small-scale qualitative studies. We conclude that, although study of the differing contexts of ageing in LAMICs as they relate to older people’s mobilities and transport use has barely begun, institutions which both make and influence policymaking recognise the existence of significant knowledge gaps. This should provide the context in which research agendas can be established.

Climate change, physical activity and sport: a systematic review

“…Furthermore, health risks attributable to air pollution and extreme weather could be exacerbated through active transport in adults living in the most deprived areas. Indeed, walking or biking might be the only travel mode in adults with low income [106]. Previous reviews also suggested a possible "positive impact" of temperature increases during cold seasons [24,25].…”

Unmet Needs of Healthcare Services and Associated Factors among a Cohort of Ghanaian Adults: A Nationally Stratified Cross-Sectional Study Design

“…Not all drugs needed for managing chronic conditions among older adults are covered by the NHIS and these are expensive in the open private market. 54 Also, the skill of the health provider was called into question. This observation is in tandem with Kelly et al, who reported that in general, healthcare workers lack adequate training and experience on how to deal with geriatric issues and the management of chronic illness.…”

Psychosocial Barriers of Public Transport Use and Social Exclusion among Older Adults: Empirical Evidence from Lahore, Pakistan

“…It is also probable that the various facets of mobility affected by the aging process could be considered [ 22 ]. In a recent review, Gorman, Jones [ 23 ] suggested that social exclusion among older adults has many features that can be defined by their travel experience and have been discussed in the studies that focus on accessibility and transport needs obliquely. Thus, social exclusion features are more substantial than deprivation of income alone and entail the absence of sociocultural and political participation [ 10 ].…”

“…Apart from the narrow biomedical model and physical environmental characteristics, the mobility of older adults is very much dependent on a set of psychosocial factors including the social relationship within the household, their relatives and acquaintances; cultural norms and expectations; attitudes; life-course trajectories; and experiences of individuals and societies [ 23 , 25 ]. The impact of psychosocial influences on the mobility and use of public transportation is a crucial concern for older adults in reducing social exclusions [ 23 ]. Similarly, the World Health Organization acknowledged that mobility is affected by the instinctive potential and the surroundings in which older adults reside.…”