The aging process of the population in Latin America continues to accelerate. According to the data handled by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), by the year 2030 it is expected that there will be more people over 60 years of age than under 15 years of age.
Although the regional life expectancy of both sexes increased by three years between 2000 and 2019, Latin American men and women live with health problems for an average of 9.7 and 12.3 years, respectively.
To learn more about this situation, the UN agency launched this Monday a series of studies that analyze different aspects of aging and the health situation of the elderly in the region, where life expectancy in 2019 reached 77.2 years.
In a statement issued by the health agency, the regional director of PAHO, Jarbas Barbosa, stressed that the investigations represent “significant progress” and that they serve to unify data and inform people about aging, health, and well-being. older in America.
“Through them you can identify, understand and address many of the challenges and opportunities that deep and accelerated aging will present to the Americas”, he affirmed.
Live longer and in better health
The agency recalls that both poverty and inequalities influence the course of life and the conditions in which people live their old age, a reality that was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite great progress in aging, The great current challenge is to live in a healthier way the vast majority of yearsan objective that requires applying a series of strategies throughout life, not only during old age.
It also considers it “key” to promote favorable environments for older people and integrated health care centered on the person, mainly through primary care.
Older people, a fundamental part of sustainable development
The publication took place within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030) and includes sections dedicated to the human rights of older people, their access to new technologies and the economic context of ageing, as well as the situation of indigenous older people and the LGBTIQA+ community.
Likewise, many articles report on the impact of COVID-19 on older people in order to protect this population in case of future emergencies.
“We cannot talk about or imagine inclusive and sustainable development if we do not put people at the center of strategies. This includes today’s older people and the next generations,” highlighted the PAHO director.
The preparation of the studies was produced thanks to the collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
