David Phillips

David Phillips is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health, Aging & Society at McMaster University. His research portfolio is internationally recognized, focusing on gerontology, global health, geographical gerontology, and the epidemiological transitions shaping ageing societies, with particular expertise in Asia-Pacific contexts.

Research Interests:

• Global and Geographical Gerontology: Investigating how place and space influence ageing experiences, health outcomes, and service utilization across diverse global settings.
• Social Determinants of Health in Later Life: Examining loneliness, social isolation, social exclusion, and their psychosomatic consequences including depression, sleep disturbances, and functional decline.
• Health Policy & Systems: Analyzing public expenditure, community-care provision, and the impact of health-protection schemes on older adults, especially in Ghana and China.
• Epidemiological Transitions: Tracking shifting disease burdens toward non-communicable diseases and the implications for ageing populations in low- and middle-income countries.

Across more than 150 publications spanning four decades, Phillips’ recent work (2020-2025) demonstrates a clear emphasis on longitudinal, population-based studies in Ghana and China that link social factors—such as food insecurity, financial inclusion, and social capital—to physical and mental health trajectories in later life. His studies increasingly integrate mediation and moderation analyses to uncover pathways from social vulnerability to health outcomes, informing evidence-based policy interventions.

Scientific Recognition & Outputs:

• Author or co-author of foundational books including Global Health (2017, 2012) and Ageing and Place (2004).
• Contributor to numerous policy-relevant chapters on geographical gerontology, rural ageing, climate change and older people, and age-friendly cities.
• Extensive record of peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as The Gerontologist, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, and Ageing and Society.

Collaborative Networks & Impact:

Phillips collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across Africa, Asia, and North America, translating research findings into policy recommendations that align with WHO guidelines and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His work is frequently cited in policy documents and media, reflecting broad societal impact.