Identification and Comparison of Healthy Ageing Determinants between Older Individuals in Latvia and Iceland since COVID-19 Pandemic

Description

The development and maintenance of optimal physical, mental health, social well-being and functional abilities in older adults are one of the most important determinants of healthy ageing. Early impact of COVID-19 pandemic can be associated with deterioration in mental health, but in long term COVID-19 pandemic can compromise other healthy ageing determinants as well. Within a bilateral project “Modelling of the Impact of Covid-19 on Public Health of Elderly People in Latvia and Iceland” (agreement Nr. FM2021/23 (EEZ/NOFI/DIV) the first step is identification and comparison of similar healthy ageing determinants between both countries, including also factors associated with COVID-19 pandemic. . The data from "Study on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe" (SHARE) and Icelandic study on population ageing (HL20) were used. Descriptive statistics as well as Chi-Square test was performed. . During the study we were able to identify similar healthy ageing determinants for both countries according to WHO definition. Compared to Iceland, Latvia had significantly larger proportion of respondents - aged 80+ years, with lower level of self-rated health, less participation in physical activities as well as higher levels of workout slow-down, loneliness, social isolation, and mental health deterioration since COVID-19 pandemic. . The further step of the project involves development of the Healthy ageing model for each country separately and evaluation of the scale of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, using various statistical calculations (confirmatory factor analysis, regression analysis etc.) for several risk groups of population of Latvia and Iceland.

Period	29 Mar 2023
Event title	RSU Research week 2023: Society. Health. Welfare
Event type	Conference
Conference number	9
Organiser	Rīga Stradiņš University
Location	Riga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International