Bangladesh faces escalating health challenges among its aging population, driven by inadequate social integration and compounded by health, accessibility and socio-economic vulnerabilities. This paper aims to synthesize existing literature to examine the health impacts of low social integration, emphasizing socio-cultural determinants, health-care access barriers, economic insecurities and weaknesses in social support systems.
In contrast to contemporary geographical similarities, Bangladesh is positioned as a representative case of aging in low-resource settings, highlighting the critical need for targeted policy actions to alleviate the disproportionate health burdens experienced by older persons.
Studies reported that low social integration – characterized by weakened family ties, limited community participation and insufficient institutional support – emerges as a key factor contributing to chronic diseases, depression and functional decline. Restrictive cultural norms and fragile support networks exacerbate economic vulnerabilities, further hindering access to health care and social protection. Gender disparities intensify these challenges, particularly for widowed and economically dependent women. Additionally, infrastructural deficiencies, digital marginalization and inadequate mental health services, challenges shared by other developing countries, and across neighboring region, underscore systemic limitations in old-age care.
Addressing these multidimensional issues requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that extends beyond traditional family-based care. The review advocates for community-based interventions, intergenerational engagement programs and policy reforms to strengthen social networks, promote active aging and integrate age-friendly healthcare into national systems. Such strategies are vital not only to enhance health outcomes and uphold dignity in older life but also to advance sustainable development goals and build resilient, inclusive health systems amid rapid demographic and societal change.
