EDITORIAL

Abstract

Population aging is one of the most significant structural processes in contemporary societies, with direct impacts on health systems, social protection, and the organization of collective life. Increased longevity poses challenges that go beyond the biomedical field, requiring interdisciplinary approaches capable of articulating the biological, psychosocial, economic, and institutional dimensions of the life course.

This special edition brings together works produced from the International Immersion Revolution and Longevity Italy 2026, held from February 2 to 6, 2026, in the Emilia-Romagna region. The experience provided direct observation of a territorially organized system of care for older adults, characterized by the integration of health services, social assistance, and community resources, as well as by the central role given to autonomy and remaining within one’s community.

The activities carried out, including academic seminars and visits to universities, health services, and community facilities, constituted a privileged empirical field for comparative analyses and critical reflection on different ways of organizing care in contexts of extended longevity. More than a technical exchange, the immersion made it possible to examine the institutional and cultural foundations that support public policies aimed at aging.

The works gathered here highlight the intrinsically interdisciplinary nature of contemporary gerontology and converge in the search for care models capable of reconciling sustainability, the promotion of autonomy, and the guarantee of rights. By confronting international experiences with the Brazilian reality, the studies contribute to a more precise understanding of the possibilities and limits of adapting care practices in contexts marked by structural inequalities.

By publishing this thematic issue, the Journal of the Geronto Network reaffirms its commitment to the dissemination of rigorous and socially relevant scientific knowledge, strengthening the dialogue between research, education, and professional practice. It is expected that the reflections presented here may support new investigations, guide public policies, and contribute to the construction of more integrated and sustainable responses to the challenges of population aging.