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Public Health Nutrition Programs for the Elderly: Epidemiological Basis

  • Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes (L Falque-Madrid and H Florez, Section Editors
  • Published:
Current Geriatrics Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review is to check the epidemiological foundations for the design and conceptualization of global healthy aging public policies with an emphasis in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Recent Findings

The differences in ages and abilities within the elderly group and the inequalities in the economic, behavioral, personal, social, health care, and environmental determinants influence their life expectancy and especially the expectation of healthy life. Overall, the poorest die and get sick earlier and the majority of deaths in low-income countries occurred before the age of 70. Accessing protection programs without being isolated is a challenging barrier faced by those who have limited resources to cope with decreased functionality and loss of autonomy.

Summary

In Latin America as well as in other regions, reaching the objectives of sustainable development requires the active participation of those over 60. Guaranteeing the coverage of basic needs, as well as access to universal and sustainable social, nutritional, legal, health care, and environmental protection systems, is key within the framework of a specific public policies for the elderly population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Development Studies, Central University of Venezuela, Av. Neverí, Edif. FUNDAVAC, Piso 1 Colinas de Bello Monte, Caracas, Venezuela

    Marianella Herrera-Cuenca

  2. Bengoa Foundation for Food and Nutrition, Caracas, Venezuela

    Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Yaritza Sifontes & Maritza Landaeta-Jiménez

  3. Venezuelan Health Observatory, Caracas, Venezuela

    Marianella Herrera-Cuenca

  4. School of Nutrition and Dietetic, Central University of Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela

    Yaritza Sifontes

  5. Laboratory of Public Health, Los Andes University, Mérida, Venezuela

    Mike Contreras

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  1. Marianella Herrera-Cuenca
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  2. Yaritza Sifontes
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  3. Maritza Landaeta-Jiménez
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Correspondence to Marianella Herrera-Cuenca.

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Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Yaritza Sifontes, Maritza Landaeta- Jiménez, and Mike Contreras declare no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Nutrition, Obesity, and Diabetes

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Herrera-Cuenca, M., Sifontes, Y., Landaeta-Jiménez, M. et al. Public Health Nutrition Programs for the Elderly: Epidemiological Basis. Curr Geri Rep 7, 137–146 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0244-2

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