Healthy aging in the Americas

[Extract] In just the past 50 years, life expectancy has increased by more than 20 years. This significant increase in longevity is due in part to advances in medicine, public health interventions, biotechnology, and social and economic development that have made it possible for people to live longer than at any other time in history (1).

Toward healthy aging in Latin America and the Caribbean: leaving no one behind?

[Extract] The framework of healthy aging has created a structure for research across the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030) and for action to address the mission of the Sustainable Development Goals “to leave no one behind” (1). Across the decade, researchers, governments and civil society are urged to develop strategies to identify and address inequities and to foster healthy aging.

Evidence-based programs for older persons in the Americas

In the current context of the aging of populations and the increase in multiple chronic conditions and dependence, it is important that health systems provide opportunities to improve the capacities of older adults to enable healthy aging. Opportunities to enhance older adults’ abilities, including self-management, can be offered through evidence-based programs. Such programs have been proven effective in improving individuals’ symptoms and quality of life, often lowering health-care costs.

Implementing long-term care systems in the Americas: a regional strategy

The Region of the Americas is facing accelerated demographic and epidemiological changes. As these trends will continue in future years, long-term care needs are expected to rise. How can countries respond to these challenges? We propose that countries in the Region should invest in the implementation of long-term care systems. Considering the heterogeneity in the Region, we propose a strategy based on three components: (i) understanding the problem; (ii) thinking about solutions; and (iii) building support and consensus.

Inequalities in income security in later age in Latin America

This paper examines inequalities in income security in later age. Three dimensions of inequality are considered: (i) inequalities in access to income support across countries and types of schemes; (ii) inequalities in the level of support within countries; and (iii) trends in gender inequality. Scheme stratification reinforces inequalities across socioeconomic groups and gender.

COVID-19 related mortality in older adults: analysis of the first wave in Colombia and Mexico

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe the mortality among older adults in the first wave of COVID-19 in Colombia and Mexico.

Methods

This is an observational, prospective study on data obtained from open data sets that are publicly available on the websites of the health ministries of the respective countries. COVID-19 cases, age, sex, date to mortality, and mortality itself were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regressions.

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