This presentation is based on a multicenter study sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization in collaboration with a network of universities in the Region. The study on the Health, Well-Being and Agin in Latin America and the Carribbean (SABE) investigates the health conditions of the elderly within major urban areas in seven countries. (Buenos Aires, Santiago, Montevideo, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Havana and Bridgetown). The data was collected during 1999-2000 through strictly comparable cross-sectional surveys in random samples of the elderly population residing in the urban areas selected for the study. The presentation will: a) describe the health conditions of elders with regard to chronic conditions, functional status and well-being; b) analyze differentials in self-assessment of health conditions, declared chronic conditions, access to health care, and sources of support particularly with respect to economic status, gender and birth cohort. An important feature of this study is that it is comparative in nature not only with the samples studied in Latin America but also with the Hispanic older populations studied in the United States.
See www.paho.org
Learning Objectives: Recognize the importance of population aging for public health in Latin America. Discuss the prevalence of chronic diseases in the urban population 60+ in seven Latin American countries. Discuss issues related to quality of life and chronic illness in the elderly population. Discuss equity issues related to the health conditions of older persons in the Region.
Keywords: Aging, Chronic Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.