This document outlines the methodology of the Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (Health, Well-Being, and Aging) survey (known as the "SABE survey"), and it also summarizes the challenges that the rapid aging of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean imposes on society in general and especially on health services. The populations of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are aging at a rate that has not been seen in the developed world. The evaluation of health problems and disability among older adults in those countries indicates that those persons are aging with more functional limitations and worse health than is true for their counterparts in developed nations. In addition, family networks in Latin America and the Caribbean are changing rapidly and have less capacity to make up for the lack of protections provided by social institutions. The multicenter SABE study was developed with the objective of evaluating the state of health of older adults in seven cities of Latin America and the Caribbean: Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil. The SABE survey has established the starting point for systematic research on aging in urban areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Comparative studies of these characteristics and with this comparative nature should be extended to other countries, areas, and regions of the world in order to expand the knowledge available on older adults.
Resumen Objetivo. Analizar la situación actual del envejecimiento en México tomando en cuenta el estado de salud y los factores de riesgo que presenta la población mayor de 50 años. Material y métodos. Se establecen cuatro tipos o formas de envejecimiento: ideal, activo, habitual y patológico, a partir de indicadores que incluyen enfermedades crónicas diagnosticadas, deterioro cognitivo, capacidad funcional, autopercepción del estado de salud, consumo de alcohol y tabaco y actividad física. Se utilizó la encuesta del Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México 2001 (ENASEM), que cuenta con información de la población mexicana de 50 años y más. Resultados. Los hallazgos corroboran las relaciones del envejecimiento con cada una de las variables utilizadas, pero, asimismo y de mayor relevancia, otorgan una tipología que sintetiza las variables consideradas. Conclusiones. La tipología lograda da pautas para delimitar factores que propicien el envejecimiento en buenas condiciones y que de esta manera se intuyan intervenciones y planes de salud y bienestar, aunque también indica que puede presentarse el envejecimiento patológico desde temprana edad. Asimismo, se sugieren nuevos temas de estudio. Palabras clave: envejecimiento; estado de salud; factores de riesgo; enfermedad crónica; incapacidad; indicadores de salud; México
The region known as Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) had 652 million inhabitants in 2018. Historically, it has been divided into many countries, beginning with colonization from Spain and Portugal. Miscegenation with the indigenous population settled its now distinctive social, cultural, and ethnic characteristics. Spanish is the nearly universal language, considering its command by the educated class of Brazil. On average, LAC's development is at a middle-income level. Its economic, social, and cultural background is highly diverse, both between countries and within each nation. Demographically, LAC is following the global trend of aging, although countries are heterogeneous in population sizes and progressing through different stages of demographic and epidemiological transitions. Based on the current trends of mortality, fertility, and migration, it is estimated that by 2060, the population will reach a maximum of about 790 million, then start a decrease in a concomitant convergence toward population aging.
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