Associations between sociodemographic factors, health spending, disease burden, and life expectancy of older adults (70 + years old) in 22 countries in the Western Pacific Region, 1995–2019: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019

Abstract

The needs of the aging populations are putting increasing burden on healthcare particularly in the Western Pacific Region (WPR), which is the home of aging economies such as Hong Kong and Japan alongside rapid increases in older people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, little is known about the associations between sociodemographic factors, disease burden, and life expectancy in WPR. The current study conducted secondary analysis on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimates of populations aged 70 years and older in WPR countries between 1995 and 2019. Correlation tests, linear mixed regressions and generalized additive mixture models were run to examine the associations of interest. Unsupervised machine learning was conducted to segment the data automatically, at cluster analysis. The sociodemographic development index was found an important factor to the disease burden in terms of Years Lived with Disability (YLD) rate and mortality rate among older adults. YLD rate and mortality rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) attributable to different risk groups were significant contributors to higher expectation of Lost Healthy Years (LHE) and shorter life expectancy respectively in the context of rising YLD rate, particularly in LMICs. Three clusters of countries with similar characteristics were identified. NCDs were the most significant contributors to shorter life expectancy within which the time living in poor health did not improve. Better management of NCDs in aging populations should be emphasized in all countries. The country clusters may help in a more regional strategic planning.

Changing trends in the disease burden of non-melanoma skin cancer globally from 1990 to 2019 and its predicted level in 25 years

“…The age-standardized rates were based on the GBD reference population. In addition, 21 GBD regions were divided into four categories (a: significant growth; b: a slight increase; c: basically stable or decrease slightly; d: significantly decreased) through cluster analysis [ 23 ] to compare the disease burden of NMSC in different GBD regions. Finally, we used the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model integrated nested Laplace approximations [ 24 ] to predict the disease burden from 2019 to 2044.…”

Trends in the global burden of vision loss among the older adults from 1990 to 2019

“…Improved diagnostic capabilities and advancements in healthcare infrastructure have contributed to better detection and reporting of vision disorders in various regions. High-income and high-middle SDI regions are often home to populations with longer life expectancies ( 24 , 25 ), leading to a greater number of individuals reaching an age where vision disorders are more prevalent. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as smoking ( 26–28 ) and exposure to sunlight ( 29–31 ) have been shown to increase the risk of cataracts and AMD, particularly in high-middle SDI regions like Eastern Europe and High-income Asia Pacific ( 32 ).…”

Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity: Exploring the Impact of Socioeconomic Factors and Health Resources on Life Expectancy in Oman and Qatar

“… 89 Considering that both countries have a vision for transitioning from fossil fuels, economic diversification may strengthen the positive socioeconomic effect on LE. 41 While not undermining the importance of public health, it is understandable that a relatively stable and powerful socioeconomic capacity can guide the population toward better health choices even without intervention by the local authority. 89 , 90 As a lesson for the other GCC members, economic diversification and policies that can strengthen socioeconomic performance may elevate their rankings in terms of LE compared to other developed countries with higher LE.…”

“… 25 Insufficient healthcare infrastructure, scarcity of health professionals, and absence of health insurance coverage are typical hurdles in these countries that impede access to optimal healthcare. 41 - 43 Moreover, the supply and cost-effectiveness of indispensable drugs and vaccines significantly influence health outcomes and lifespan. 25 Furthermore, the occurrence of chronic conditions and multimorbidity is higher in LMICs compared to wealthier nations, potentially leading to increased disability and reduced lifespan.…”