TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2026) —

For older adults, no disaster is simple. In the opening editorial “Complex Emergencies and the Effects on Older Populations,” published in the October 2026 special issue of the Journal of Applied Gerontology, author and special issue guest editor Lindsay Peterson, PhD, explains how hurricanes, floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and other hazards can interact with chronic health conditions, reduced mobility, diminished social supports, and repeated disaster exposure to make preparation and recovery especially difficult.

A new Northwestern Medicine study has found patient navigators — trained guides who help patients access care and resources while working alongside the healthcare team — can ease the often challenging transition to motherhood for low-income pregnant individuals, leading to better health in their postpartum period and more consistent primary care for years to come. The goal is to increase patients' independence and comfort with engaging with the healthcare system. In cancer care, patient navigation has received widespread adoption, and is even funded by Medicaid, but has been largely underused and understudied in postpartum care. These findings lay the groundwork for future research and potential funding for patient navigation.