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

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.