Abstract
Background: The study investigates loneliness among older adults
in the Baltic-Nordic region, particularly in the context of the
COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how loneliness varies
across cultural and socio-economic contexts in these areas, which is
critical for developing public health strategies tailored to the specific
needs of older populations.
Methods: We employed a comprehensive comparative analysis, leveraging data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in
Europe (SHARE) and the HL20 study from Iceland, focusing on
individuals aged 67 and above. The study encompassed a diverse
sample from Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia,
and Iceland, totaling 5,313 participants. This research is part of a
bilateral EEA FM2021/23 initiative to enhance methodological
approaches to analyzing older populations by coding and standardizing variables for comparability across different countries.
Results: Significant regional differences in loneliness were observed.
The Baltic regions reported a higher prevalence of loneliness compared to the Nordic countries, which displayed lower levels, attributed to strong social welfare systems and community engagement.
Factors such as employment, marital status, and educational attainment varied across regions, affecting loneliness levels.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of considering
regional cultural and social contexts in public health interventions
aimed at reducing loneliness among older adults. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies that address the unique social
dynamics of the Baltic and Nordic regions. Innovative public health
actions, such as community engagement programs and policy development, are recommended to alleviate loneliness in these populations.
Key messages:
• Significant regional differences in loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region underscore the need for tailored public health interventions.
• Employment and social welfare are key factors in mitigating loneliness among older adults, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic support systems
in the Baltic-Nordic region, particularly in the context of the
COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand how loneliness varies
across cultural and socio-economic contexts in these areas, which is
critical for developing public health strategies tailored to the specific
needs of older populations.
Methods: We employed a comprehensive comparative analysis, leveraging data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in
Europe (SHARE) and the HL20 study from Iceland, focusing on
individuals aged 67 and above. The study encompassed a diverse
sample from Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia,
and Iceland, totaling 5,313 participants. This research is part of a
bilateral EEA FM2021/23 initiative to enhance methodological
approaches to analyzing older populations by coding and standardizing variables for comparability across different countries.
Results: Significant regional differences in loneliness were observed.
The Baltic regions reported a higher prevalence of loneliness compared to the Nordic countries, which displayed lower levels, attributed to strong social welfare systems and community engagement.
Factors such as employment, marital status, and educational attainment varied across regions, affecting loneliness levels.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of considering
regional cultural and social contexts in public health interventions
aimed at reducing loneliness among older adults. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies that address the unique social
dynamics of the Baltic and Nordic regions. Innovative public health
actions, such as community engagement programs and policy development, are recommended to alleviate loneliness in these populations.
Key messages:
• Significant regional differences in loneliness in the Baltic-Nordic region underscore the need for tailored public health interventions.
• Employment and social welfare are key factors in mitigating loneliness among older adults, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic support systems
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | ckae144.2299 |
| Pages (from-to) | 889 -890 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | European Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | Suppl. 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2024 |
| Event | 17th European Public Health Conference 2024 : "Sailing the Waves of European Public Health: Exploring a Sea of Innovation" - Lisbon, Portugal Duration: 12 Nov 2024 → 15 Nov 2024 Conference number: 17 https://ephconference.eu/lisbon-2024-531 |
Field of Science*
- 3.3 Health sciences
- 5.4 Sociology
- 3.5 Other medical sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
