Social health inequalities in healthy ageing, Colombia 2018

Population ageing increasingly faces social health inequalities that impede the achievement of a healthy and equitable life. This study analysed the health inequalities in healthy ageing within the Colombian population in 2018, considering economic, educational, and health-related factors. An ecological study design was adopted, incorporating departmental-level measurements of health outcomes for the elderly, service provision, and mortality, in relation to socioeconomic and educational variables. The findings revealed that Gini indices for morbidity, physical limitations, lack of access to healthcare, and quality of care were higher in rural departments with a lower proportion of elderly residents. Women exhibited higher Gini indices than men. Poverty-related variables showed negative concentration indices, particularly in rural areas. Health and education also displayed negative concentration indices in rural regions, while urban areas had slightly better outcomes. In terms of employment, individuals relying on retirement income demonstrated slightly higher concentration indices in urban areas compared to rural ones. In conclusion, there are inequalities in the distribution of healthy ageing, driven by socioeconomic factors, with rural women being particularly affected.