What this means
The growing older adult population has increased the importance of policies that shape health care delivery, long-term services and supports, caregiving, and community-based aging services. Nurses are uniquely positioned to inform these policies through their understanding of older adults' experiences across health care and community settings.
A plain-English summary is on its way. Until then, this is the start of the authors' own summary.
- Who it was tested in
- People
- Kind of research
- A study
The science
- Original title
- Advocacy and Legislation Through a Nursing Lens: Lessons for Gerontological Nursing From the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program.
- Authors
- Bergen-Jackson K, Saucier JB, Greenberg SA et al.
- Journal
- Journal of gerontological nursing
- Published
- Oct 29, 2026
- Study type
- Study · in humans
- PMID
- 42956355 ↗
Abstract
Background
The growing older adult population has increased the importance of policies that shape health care delivery, long-term services and supports, caregiving, and community-based aging services. Nurses are uniquely positioned to inform these policies through their understanding of older adults' experiences across health care and community settings. Despite this expertise, nursing perspectives remain underrepresented in policy development.
What they did
Nurse participants in the 2025-2026 cohort of the Health and Aging Policy Fellows (HAPF) Program describe how nursing knowledge contributes to health and aging policy across legislative, executive, federal, nonprofit, and international settings.
What they found
Common themes emerged across our fellowship experiences, including the importance of translating clinical experience into policy action, building interdisciplinary partnerships, promoting person-centered approaches to aging, and strengthening nurse leadership in policy environments. These experiences reinforced that policy is a powerful mechanism for improving health outcomes and quality of life for older adults. Expanding opportunities for nurses to engage in policymaking is essential to advancing equitable systems of care and supporting healthy aging.
The authors' abstract, grouped under plain headings from its own section labels.
Bergen-Jackson K, Saucier JB, Greenberg SA et al. Advocacy and Legislation Through a Nursing Lens: Lessons for Gerontological Nursing From the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program. Journal of gerontological nursing. 2026. doi:10.3928/00989134-20261014-01. PMID: 42956355. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42956355/