The Political Economy of Creating Innovation in Elderly Well-being in the Southern Border Region

Framework for Analyzing Social Determinants of Health in Yaha Subdistrict Municipality, Yala Province

Abstract

This article aims to portray the management of the elderly's well-being system in the southern border region through the Yaha Buddy Health Care model, developed by the Yaha Subdistrict Municipality in Yala Province. The research design is qualitative, utilising participant observation and in-depth interviews with local administrators, community leaders, health network partners, and elderly groups in the area. The methodology employs a holistic political economy analysis to examine and categorise the components of the elderly well-being model, which is adapted from the social determinants of health concept and encompasses economic, political, social, environmental, and health dimensions. The research findings indicate that the Yaha Subdistrict Municipality's elderly welfare promotion innovation was formed under the Yaha Buddy Health Care concept, which expanded to establish elderly clubs and develop the Yaha Buddy Health Care application. This represents a product of integrating social and technological innovation based on connecting all dimensions of social determinants of health with a balanced local context. At the same time, this innovation is a crucial condition for creating health equity, as it addresses the inequality in access to and benefit from past well-being services. Therefore, this research suggests that relevant stakeholders should establish proactive operational standards alongside creating new mechanisms to provide well-being welfare to all elderly groups according to their diverse needs. It is expected that this will achieve the goal of driving local innovation that can truly support the sustainability of the elderly social welfare system in the southern border region.