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Mapping inequalities in the health of older adults around the world: Heterogeneities in cognitive and physical functioning

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  • Thomas Arnhold
  • Viktoria Szenkurök
  • Daniela Weber

Abstract

Amid global population ageing and evidence that health disparities in later life often stem from accumulated disadvantage, it is essential to assess health inequalities in older adults in an internationally comparable and comprehensive way. Addressing the shortcomings of analysing average health levels in a population while preserving the comparability of countries and subpopulations, we estimate Gini coefficients to examine inequalities in physical and cognitive functioning of older adults in 41 countries, stratified by gender and five-year age group. Utilising data from 11 nationally representative surveys on the health and ageing of older adults, we find substantial heterogeneities in physical and cognitive functioning inequalities across countries for both women and men. Notably, countries with higher median scores in cognitive functioning tend to exhibit significantly less pronounced inequalities. Furthermore, our results reveal a steep positive age gradient in both dimensions of cognitive functioning. Taken together, our descriptive results provide a valuable foundation for researchers and policymakers aiming to identify targeted interventions and policy measures to address health disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Arnhold & Viktoria Szenkurök & Daniela Weber, 2025. "Mapping inequalities in the health of older adults around the world: Heterogeneities in cognitive and physical functioning," Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, vol. 23(1), pages 515-536.
    • Handle: RePEc:vid:yearbk:v:23:y:2025:i:1:oid:0x00404a1d
    DOI: 10.1553/p-mcm9-5b3b
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    1. Wagstaff, Adam & Paci, Pierella & van Doorslaer, Eddy, 1991. "On the measurement of inequalities in health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 545-557, January.
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