Policy Responses to the Healthy Aging Challenge: Confronting Hybridity with Social Innovation

Citation

Nelles J, Tuckerman L, Purna N, Phillips J & Vorley T (2024) Policy Responses to the Healthy Aging Challenge: Confronting Hybridity with Social Innovation. Journal of Aging & Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2024.2384176

Abstract
Tackling the issue of healthy aging in society is complex. It requires an interdisciplinary perspective and different forms of innovation. This article provides a commentary on the role of innovation policy in addressing healthy aging, particularly in the UK context. We argue that the wide range of economic activities related to healthy aging is part of a hybrid domain rather than a single sector. This represents a new generation of innovation policy for healthy aging which prioritizes understanding how different actors can be connected to support a spectrum of types of innovation which will contribute to providing better goods, services, and practices for older people. We explore social innovation as it relates to hybrid domains such as healthy aging and discuss the role of place in creating policy which generates both societal and market value. We recommend that policymakers use these concepts to build a better understanding of the economies that are evolving around healthy aging and where opportunities exist to better conceptualize, connect, and support actors, initiatives, and places to optimize economic potential and social outcomes.

Keywords
Healthy Aging; innovation policy; social innovation

Notes
Output Status: Forthcoming/Available Online

Journal
Journal of Aging & Social Policy

• Policy Responses to the Healthy Ageing Challenge: Confronting Hybridity with Social Innovation