Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean will not proceed along
known paths already followed by more developed countries. In particular, the
health profile of the future elderly population is less predictable due to factors
associated with their demographic past that may haunt them for a long time and
make them more vulnerable, even if economic and institutional conditions turn
out to be better than what they are likely to be. This paper answers a set of
questions regarding the nature and determinants of health status among the elderly
in Latin America and the Caribbean using SABE (Survey on Health and Well-Being
of Elders), a cross-sectional representative sample of over 10,000 elderly aged
60 and above in private homes in seven major cities in Latin America and the
Caribbean. We examine health outcomes such as self-reported health, functional
limitations--Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of
Daily Living (IADLs), obesity (ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of
height in centimeters), and self reported chronic conditions (including diabetes).
The findings include: (a) Countries differ in self-reported health but exhibit
much less differences in terms of functional limitations. The number of chronic
conditions increase with age and is higher among females than among males; (b)
On average SABE countries display levels of self-reported diabetes (and obesity)
that are as high if not higher than those found in the US; (c) There is evidence,
albeit weaker than expected, suggesting deteriorated health and functional status
in the region; (d) There is important evidence pointing toward rather strong
inequalities (by education and income) in selected health outcomes. Preliminary
findings from SABE confirm that Latin America and the Caribbean display peculiarities
in the health profile of elderly, particularly with regard to diabetes and obesity.
It is important that new policy initiatives begin to seriously target the region's
elderly, especially with an emphasis on the prevention and treatment of diabetes
and obesity.
Key words: Aging, diabetes, health outcomes, Latin America