Social convoy: A potential social prescribing intervention to mitigate depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older Chinese adults

In the context of rapid aging and social changes over the past four decades, depression has been a significant public health concern for older adults in China [1]. A recently published meta-analysis of 81 population-based surveys indicated a pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms at 20 % among older Chinese adults. The prevalence was notably higher in older adults residing in rural areas compared to urban areas (24.0 % vs. 18.7 %), as well as in individuals with low income compared to those with high income (38.7 % vs.