Language and health studies in the era of holistic health: Achievements and prospects

Abstract

Language and health studies is scientific, pioneering and promising in nature given the close yet intricate relationship between human’s language and health. A diverse range of research topics encompasses the panorama of language and health studies, with the overarching objective of promoting the holistic well-being of individuals across the entire spectrum of age demographics, spanning from children, through adults, to the elderly. The present systematic review corroborates a flourishing trajectory of language and health research over the past three decades. Language disorders and speech-language pathology are among the most critical research topics in the field, with a primary focus on diagnosis and intervention. There are also rich investigations of language and mental health disorders in atypical populations. Clinical analysis, applied conversation analysis and narrative medicine are the three important approaches to the examination of communication in medical and healthcare interactions, which is crucial to public health promotion. The application of cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary cooperation can provide innovative solutions to the difficulties and challenges that arise in this field.