Scientific research
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Access and utilize the ICAA library of scientific studies, reports and statistics to assist you with the development of your business case for wellness, program and community design and development, evidence-informed lifestyle choices and marketing strategies and approaches.
Topic- Emotional wellness
Nature's soundscapes are top well-being boosters
The impact of nature's soundscapes on individual well-being during immersive forest bathing (FB) and forest therapy (FT) sessions recently was revealed in a study conducted across 35 countries involving 1142 participants. The natural elements perceived as contributing most to well-being were sound-related. This is something to bear in mind when planning nature walks and community environments.
moreEmotional wellness
Stats: 10% of 50+ population are solo agers
About 10% of the 50-plus population are solo agers – that is, older adults without a partner or children -- according to AARP's Solo Agers Survey. For the most part, these solo agers are enjoying their lives, according to the survey. They enjoy the independence that living alone affords them, and about half (49%) are somewhat or extremely optimistic about their quality of life compared to 59% of adults 50-plus overall. They could be a growing customer base for independent living, as these findings show:
moreEmotional wellness
Emotional wellbeing linked to women's gut health
A recent study linked bacteria in our gut to positive emotions like happiness and hopefulness and healthier emotion management skills. "The gut contains trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. Many studies have shown that disturbance in the gut microbiome can affect the gut-brain axis and lead to various health problems, including anxiety, depression, and even neurological disorders," said coauthor Yang-Yu Liu, PhD, an associate scientist in the Brigham and Women's Hospital's Channing Division of Network Medicine and an associate professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School.
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Social connections tied to slower cognitive decline
Good social connections -- i.e., living with others, weekly community group engagement, interacting weekly with family and friends, and never feeling lonely - are associated with slower cognitive decline, according to a recent global study. Active-aging professionals may intuitively know this, but having an evidence base is important.
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Social media helps people feel connected to others
A new Gallup report, released in collaboration with Meta, found that despite social disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most people across the countries studied said they felt connected to others. The report is based on an in-depth, Meta-commissioned survey of people's social connections in Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States. Representative population samples of least 2,000 people ages 15+ in each country, surveyed between April and June 2022, were included. The insights can help inform efforts to encourage social media interaction in active-aging communities.
moreEmotional wellness
How to care for people with dementia and their care partners
A new report, "Meeting the Challenge of Caring for Persons Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners and Caregivers: A Way Forward," examines the complex body of evidence on dementia care and informs decision making about which interventions are ready to be broadly disseminated and implemented. It also offers a blueprint to guide future research. Active aging organizational leadership interested in the science behind new and emerging initiatives and interventions, as well as what work is still needed, will find the report a valuable resource.
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