Impact of Community Health Promotion Programs on the Well-Being of Older Adults: A Regional Analysis of Taiwan’s Implementation of the WHO ICOPE Framework

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of community health promotion programs based on the WHO ICOPE framework in improving the well-being of older individuals in rural Taiwan. Quantitative analyses, conducted using data from 52 rural communities on over 1000 participants, revealed a significant positive correlation between the number of program participation hours and improvements in subjective well-being, as measured using the World Health Organization WHO-5. The findings indicate that community health professionals should adapt ICOPE-based interventions to local contexts by adjusting program intensity, incorporating culturally relevant activities, and strengthening social support networks. Specifically, targeted interventions are needed in regions with lower well-being outcomes. At the policy level, this study underscores the need for regionalized funding models and cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure equitable access to community-based elder care services. The insights derived from this study may also inform the implementation of ICOPE-based health promotion initiatives in other settings, particularly rural or resource-limited settings.