Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42321705›Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2026

Aging trends, challenges, and policy framework within the Ghanaian context: a systematic review.

Deborah A Dadson, Alfred Boakye, Henrietta A Bennett, Ebenezer Martey, Amma S Aboagye Kyei, Josephine A Boateng, Adam Mohammed

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Deborah A DadsonDepartment of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA. dadadson@uab.edu.
Alfred BoakyeDivision of Gerontology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Henrietta A BennettDepartment of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
Ebenezer MarteyDepartment of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
Amma S Aboagye KyeiDepartment of Social Sciences, Central University, Accra, Ghana.
Josephine A BoatengDepartment of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA.
Adam MohammedSchool of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPopulation aging has received considerable attention across economies presenting significant social, economic, and health challenges. While research has focused on demographics and health, limited attention has been given to the context, processes and outcomes of active aging in Ghanaian society. An exploration into this is essential to understanding the underlying dynamics between social stability, socioeconomic growth, health promotion and quality of life of older adults in Ghana.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review to compile and report on existing empirical evidence on population trends, age-related health issues, available support systems, and needs of older adults in Ghana to inform age-friendly services and policies. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we screened peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 using search terms related to aging in Ghana.

resultsThrough thematic synthesis, four themes were identified - health utilization, health status, social support, and policy implications. Older adults who had better emotional, relational, and instrumental support from family and the community demonstrated higher levels of wellbeing, greater use of healthcare services, and reduced feelings of social isolation. Individuals reported unmet needs in food insecurity, financial hardship, lack of assistance with daily activities, and limited access to healthcare. Furthermore, older adults who reported multiple chronic conditions reported high levels of functional disabilities and physical difficulties.

conclusionsThis review underscores an immediate, coordinated policy intervention and research action to prepare Ghana for its next demographic phase. Priority action should focus on enhancing healthcare access, fostering social inclusion and promoting community engagement among older adults in Ghana to improve their quality of life.

Indexed as

AgingHealth PolicyAgedGhanaHealth Services Needs and DemandHealth StatusHumansQuality of LifeSocial SupportGhanaHealthPolicySocial supportUnmet needs

Identifiers

PMID42321705
PMCPMC13527962

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.