[Functionality and health: a typology of aging in Mexico]. / Funcionalidad y salud: una tipología del envejecimiento en México.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze present conditions of aging in Mexico within the scope of health status and risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four types of aging are depicted: ideal, active, habitual and pathological. Indicators include chronic diseases, cognitive impairments, functional capacity, health self-assessment, consumption of alcohol and tobacco and physical activity. Data come from the survey of the population 50 years and older in the 2001 Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). RESULTS: Findings corroborate the relations between aging and each one of the variables studied, but even more importantly, they indicate a typology that combines all variables in a single index. CONCLUSIONS: The typology that resulted from this study provides guidelines for delimiting the factors that lead to aging under good conditions and, therefore, suggests interventions and plans for good health and wellbeing, although it also indicates that pathological aging can occur at an early age. In addition, new research topics arose.

[Childhood health and social factors associated to elderly morbidity]. / Factores sociales y salud infantil asociados con la vejez.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determinate if health status of the elderly in Mexico at the beginning of the 21st. Century is associated to earlier social and health conditions during child-hood, including sex differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted using survey data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) 2001. RESULTS: Linear regression models point out that life styles during childhood and adulthood are not independent, both influencing morbidity in elderly years. CONCLUSION: Parents' education and household characteristics through childhood represent main protection factors; however, this finding cannot be generalized.

Funcionalidad y salud: una tipología del envejecimiento en México / Functionality and health: a typology of aging in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Analizar la situación actual del envejecimiento en México tomando en cuenta el estado de salud y los factores de riesgo que presenta la población mayor de 50 años. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se establecen cuatro tipos o formas de envejecimiento: ideal, activo, habitual y patológico, a partir de indicadores que incluyen enfermedades crónicas diagnosticadas, deterioro cognitivo, capacidad funcional, autopercepción del estado de salud, consumo de alcohol y tabaco y actividad física. Se utilizó la encuesta del Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México 2001 (ENASEM), que cuenta con información de la población mexicana de 50 años y más. RESULTADOS: Los hallazgos corroboran las relaciones del envejecimiento con cada una de las variables utilizadas, pero, asimismo y de mayor relevancia, otorgan una tipología que sintetiza las variables consideradas. CONCLUSIONES: La tipología lograda da pautas para delimitar factores que propicien el envejecimiento en buenas condiciones y que de esta manera se intuyan intervenciones y planes de salud y bienestar, aunque también indica que puede presentarse el envejecimiento patológico desde temprana edad. Asimismo, se sugieren nuevos temas de estudio.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze present conditions of aging in Mexico within the scope of health status and risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four types of aging are depicted: ideal, active, habitual and pathological. Indicators include chronic diseases, cognitive impairments, functional capacity, health self-assessment, consumption of alcohol and tobacco and physical activity. Data come from the survey of the population 50 years and older in the 2001 Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). RESULTS: Findings corroborate the relations between aging and each one of the variables studied, but even more importantly, they indicate a typology that combines all variables in a single index. CONCLUSIONS:The typology that resulted from this study provides guidelines for delimiting the factors that lead to aging under good conditions and, therefore, suggests interventions and plans for good health and wellbeing, although it also indicates that pathological aging can occur at an early age. In addition, new research topics arose.

Factores sociales y salud infantil asociados con la vejez / Childhood health and social factors associated to elderly morbidity

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el estado de salud de la vejez en México al inicio del siglo XXI está asociado con las condiciones sociales y de salud vividas en la infancia, diferenciando por sexo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron personas que sobrevivieron a condiciones adversas durante la infancia y en los siguientes años, originarias de medios rurales donde los servicios básicos eran escasos, lo que provocó elevadas tasas de mortalidad infantil a causa de enfermedades infecciosas o parasitarias. Se utilizó como fuente de información el Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México 2001, y el modelo de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Los estilos de vida de la infancia y la etapa adulta no son independientes, sino que interactúan y definen conjuntamente la morbilidad adquirida en las edades mayores. CONCLUSION: La escolaridad de los padres y las características de la vivienda de la infancia aparecen como factores protectores importantes, aunque estas conclusiones no pueden generalizarse.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determinate if health status of the elderly in Mexico at the beginning of the 21st. Century is associated to earlier social and health conditions during child-hood, including sex differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was conducted using survey data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) 2001. RESULTS: Linear regression models point out that life styles during childhood and adulthood are not independent, both influencing morbidity in elderly years. CONCLUSION: Parents' education and household characteristics through childhood represent main protection factors; however, this finding cannot be generalized.

[The Health, Well-Being, and Aging ("SABE") survey: methodology applied and profile of the study population]. / Encuesta Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE): metodología de la encuesta y perfil de la población estudiada.

This document outlines the methodology of the Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (Health, Well-Being, and Aging) survey (known as the "SABE survey"), and it also summarizes the challenges that the rapid aging of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean imposes on society in general and especially on health services. The populations of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are aging at a rate that has not been seen in the developed world. The evaluation of health problems and disability among older adults in those countries indicates that those persons are aging with more functional limitations and worse health than is true for their counterparts in developed nations. In addition, family networks in Latin America and the Caribbean are changing rapidly and have less capacity to make up for the lack of protections provided by social institutions. The multicenter SABE study was developed with the objective of evaluating the state of health of older adults in seven cities of Latin America and the Caribbean: Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil. The SABE survey has established the starting point for systematic research on aging in urban areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Comparative studies of these characteristics and with this comparative nature should be extended to other countries, areas, and regions of the world in order to expand the knowledge available on older adults.

El envejecimiento: una nueva dimensión de la salud en México / Aging: A new dimension in health in Mexico

Las transiciones demográfica y epidemiológica provocan que México experimente un proceso de envejecimiento demográfico que incrementa los números absolutos y porcentuales de la población en edad avanzada. Se proyecta que las cifras de 1990, de 3.1 millones de personas con edades de 65 y más componiendo el 3.7% de la población, sean de 15.2 millones y 11.7% para 2030. Entre las demandas crecientes que acarrea este proceso sobresalen las de salud, centradas en las enfermedades crónico-degenerativas e incapacitantes. La información existente señala que las condiciones de salud y de incapacidad tienen incidencias mayores a partir de los 75 años de edad, y que son más tempranas e importantes en la población femenina. La mortalidad por causas muestra que en las edades mayores también se experimenta el desplazamiento desde las enfermedades transmisibles hacia las no transmisibles. Estos desplazamientos se han observado en las décadas recientes y continúan ocurriendo actualmente. Su grado de avance depende de la situación social y económica, con lo cual el cambio resulta tan variante como lo son las condiciones dentro de la nación. En todo caso, el proceso del envejecimiento avanza en su relación con la enfermedad e incapacidad, y se hace notar que se requiere la adaptación del sistemade salud a las nuevas circunstancias donde la morbilidad y la comorbilidad cobran la mayor importancia, que deben modificarse los modelos de atención clínica y hospitalaria, y que se requiere del apoyo familar para la atención.

The epidemiologic and demographic transitions have resulted in demographic aging of the Mexican population, increasing the absolute number and percentage of the elderly population. While in 1990, 3.1 million of persons were 65 and older constituting 3.7% of the country's population, these figures are projected to be 15.2 million and 11.7% by 2030. The growing demands on health care that this process involves will entered on chronic and degenerative diseases and disabilities. Existing information indicates hat health conditions and disabilities have greater incidences after the age of 75, and that they occur earlier and have more impact on the female population. Information about mortality organized by causes shows that the oldest population is also xperiencing a transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. These shifts have been observed in recent decades and they continue to occur. The degree of progress depends upon the economic and social situation; thus, changes are as diverse and heterogeneous as the socio-economic conditions within the nation. In any case, the advancing aging process and its relationship with diseases and disabilities points out necessary adjustments within the health system. New circumstances are brought into existence by an increasing importance of morbidity and co-morbidity, creating a need for modification of the models for clinic and hospital care, and the realization that the family maintains its central role as the main resource and care giver for the elderly.