Social inequalities among Brazilian older adults: a secondary cross-sectional analysis of a national survey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic and economic differences among Brazilian older adults according to region. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted with individuals ≥ 60 years of age based on a secondary analysis of public data from a nationally representative survey called the Family Budget Survey. The data were separated according to the 5 regions of the country and were associated with sociodemographic and economic characteristics. Analyses were performed of categorical and numerical variables and their associations using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Among all participants in the Family Budget Survey, 26 199 (15%) were older adults. It was found that the southeast and south had better living conditions and higher proportions of older adults. Regarding race, the southern region had the highest proportion of self-declared Whites, the southeastern region had the highest mean education level, and the northern and northeastern regions had the lowest levels of education and household income. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the aging process is heterogeneous due to marked regional inequalities, which are related to social issues. Regional differences can be determinant in socioeconomic and demographic inequalities among the older population.

Food insecurity and social inequalities in households headed by older people in Brazil: a secondary cross-sectional analysis of a national survey.

“…The factors associated with social inequalities and the FI situation are older population documented in the literature and have a generational effect on older individuals, accentuating the severity of the guarantee of access to adequate food at home (3,11,15). Thus, among the evidenced inequalities, there was a higher prevalence of females (≥ 60 years of age) in a moderate/severe FI situation, pointing to gender inequality accompanied by physiological and social changes.…”

“…The variables were selected based on prior literature (11,15). The independent variables for the headed households were gender (male, female), skin color/race self-classi ed (white, black, brown, yellow/asian, indigenous), and educational level in years (> 8 years of study, 1 to 8 years of study and no schooling).…”

“…However, the aging process is heterogeneous for many individuals, and the presence of numerous social inequalities in the individuals with 60 years or older in Brazil hinders the effectiveness of public policies directed at this population. In addition, the aging process contributes to increases in hunger, a lack of basic sanitation, and access to health services (11). Thus, the older population in Brazil are constantly in a position of social exclusion and marginalization in society (7,11).…”

“…In addition, the aging process contributes to increases in hunger, a lack of basic sanitation, and access to health services (11). Thus, the older population in Brazil are constantly in a position of social exclusion and marginalization in society (7,11). Little is known about the pro le of FI and hunger in this age group in the country.…”