Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran's elderly care reform

Raana Gholamzadeh Nikjoo; Hossein Matlabi; Ziba Mazrooei

doi:10.20518/tjph.1675168

Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran's elderly care reform

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop integrated strategies for successful aging within Iran's healthcare system, focusing on improving both longevity and quality of life for older adults.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using 16 semi-structured interviews with aging experts. Data were analyzed through manual content analysis, with findings organized according to the Health System Control Knobs framework.

Results: Key findings highlighted strategies across multiple sectors. For the Ministry of Health, these included prioritizing aging in national health policies, expanding accessible health services with home-based screenings, promoting older adults’ empowerment and social participation, and allocating dedicated budgets for aging programs. Other organizations contributed through initiatives like developing elderly-friendly urban environments with adapted public transportation and free services, drawing on global best practices in aging support systems.

Conclusion: Successful integration of aging strategies requires coordinated interventions across policy, service delivery, community engagement, and funding mechanisms, requiring collaboration between healthcare and non-healthcare sectors for comprehensive older adults’ care.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The present study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences with the ethics code IR.TBZMED.REC.1400.410

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Raana Gholamzadeh Nikjoo ^*
0000-0003-0595-6063
Iran

Hossein Matlabi This is me
Iran

Ziba Mazrooei This is me
0000-0001-8459-0092
Iran

Publication Date

May 15, 2026

Submission Date

April 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1675168

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA34MR78RC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Gholamzadeh Nikjoo, R., Matlabi, H., & Mazrooei, Z. (2026). Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran’s elderly care reform. Turkish Journal of Public Health, 1. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1675168

AMA

1.Gholamzadeh Nikjoo R, Matlabi H, Mazrooei Z. Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran’s elderly care reform. TJPH. 2026;(1). doi:10.20518/tjph.1675168

Chicago

Gholamzadeh Nikjoo, Raana, Hossein Matlabi, and Ziba Mazrooei. 2026. “Integrating Successful Aging into Health Systems: Policy Strategies for Iran’s Elderly Care Reform”. Turkish Journal of Public Health, no. 1. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1675168.

EndNote

Gholamzadeh Nikjoo R, Matlabi H, Mazrooei Z (May 1, 2026) Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran’s elderly care reform. Turkish Journal of Public Health 1

IEEE

[1]R. Gholamzadeh Nikjoo, H. Matlabi, and Z. Mazrooei, “Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran’s elderly care reform”, TJPH, no. 1, May 2026, doi: 10.20518/tjph.1675168.

ISNAD

Gholamzadeh Nikjoo, Raana - Matlabi, Hossein - Mazrooei, Ziba. “Integrating Successful Aging into Health Systems: Policy Strategies for Iran’s Elderly Care Reform”. Turkish Journal of Public Health. 1 (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1675168.

JAMA

1.Gholamzadeh Nikjoo R, Matlabi H, Mazrooei Z. Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran’s elderly care reform. TJPH. 2026. doi:10.20518/tjph.1675168.

MLA

Gholamzadeh Nikjoo, Raana, et al. “Integrating Successful Aging into Health Systems: Policy Strategies for Iran’s Elderly Care Reform”. Turkish Journal of Public Health, no. 1, May 2026, doi:10.20518/tjph.1675168.

Vancouver

1.Raana Gholamzadeh Nikjoo, Hossein Matlabi, Ziba Mazrooei. Integrating successful aging into health systems: policy strategies for Iran’s elderly care reform. TJPH. 2026 May 1;(1). doi:10.20518/tjph.1675168