Prioritisation of older adults in global climate change adaptation plans: a comparative policy document analysis of 204 countries.

Older adults (ie, ≥65 years old) have disproportionate health impacts from climate change owing to age-associated physiological changes and higher prevalences of chronic diseases, functional impairment, and social isolation. Prioritising older adults in climate change adaptation plans is essential to ensure their needs are supported in future policy decisions. We identified 16 adaptation themes relevant to the health and wellbeing of older adults using a framework-based synthesis and examined their inclusion across national climate change adaptation plans from 204 countries. 125 countries (61·3%) included one to five themes, two (1·0%) included six to ten themes, one (0·5%) included 11 or more themes, and 77 (37·7%) included no themes. The most frequently included themes were strengthening responses to extreme temperatures, including older adults in decision-making processes, and improving disaster preparedness and response. 47 (23·0%) of 204 countries outlined concrete policies, programmatic actions, or funding commitments to support older adults. Our findings reflect substantial gaps in national climate adaptation for ageing populations.