Growing old, unhealthy and unequal: an exploratory study on the health of Portuguese individuals aged 50+

Isabel Correia, Priscila Ferreira (), Ligia Pinto, Marieta Valente () and Paula Veiga ()
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Paula Veiga: Universidade do Minho, NIMA, http://nima.eeg.uminho.pt

No 67, NIMA Working Papers from Núcleo de Investigação em Microeconomia Aplicada (NIMA), Universidade do Minho

Abstract: In this study we provide evidence on the health status and the role of gender and socioeconomic inequality in self-reported health and morbidity status amongst the elderly in Portugal. We find a negative self-perception of health status amongst the elderly; high prevalence of chronic diseases since an earlier age; high level of depression problems reported by women; and high levels of disability amongst the oldest old. There are, nonetheless, substantial differences in health status between age groups that suggest a potential for health gains in the future. The prevalence of chronic diseases, mental problems and high disability requires an adequate (re)organization of healthcare delivery to the elderly. Moreover, the evidence presented clearly calls for a gendered perspective on health policy, particularly in mental health policy.

Keywords: ageing; health status; inequality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I14 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2017-11, Revised 2018-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-age, nep-eur and nep-hea
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