Emma Wagg1, Fiona M Blyth2, Robert G Cumming2, Saman Khalatbari-Soltani3. 1. The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, Australia. 2. The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 3. The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: saman.khalatbarisoltani@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and health is well-established. However, the association between SEP and healthy ageing as a multidimensional construct is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on the associations between SEP and multidimensional healthy ageing measures. Studies were identified from a systematic search across major electronic databases from inception to February 2021. RESULTS: Fourthy-five articles met inclusion criteria (26 cross-sectional and 19 longitudinal studies). There was no consistency in method of operationalizing healthy ageing across studies, domains included in the healthy ageing measures, or in the definition and number of levels of SEP indicators. Overall, regardless of heterogeneity between studies, a positive association between educational level (85.0 % of studies) and income/wealth (81.4 % of studies) and healthy ageing was evident. Regarding occupational position, evidence from 11 studies was inconclusive. The number of studies including home ownership, parenteral SEP, or composite SEP scores was insufficient to be able to draw a conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that socioeconomic inequalities, as assessed by educational level and income/wealth, are associated with healthy ageing. These findings, and the broader evidence base on SEP and healthy ageing, highlight the importance of addressing inequality through integrated health and social policies and strategies.
BACKGROUND: The association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and health is well-established. However, the association between SEP and healthy ageing as a multidimensional construct is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on the associations between SEP and multidimensional healthy ageing measures. Studies were identified from a systematic search across major electronic databases from inception to February 2021. RESULTS: Fourthy-five articles met inclusion criteria (26 cross-sectional and 19 longitudinal studies). There was no consistency in method of operationalizing healthy ageing across studies, domains included in the healthy ageing measures, or in the definition and number of levels of SEP indicators. Overall, regardless of heterogeneity between studies, a positive association between educational level (85.0 % of studies) and income/wealth (81.4 % of studies) and healthy ageing was evident. Regarding occupational position, evidence from 11 studies was inconclusive. The number of studies including home ownership, parenteral SEP, or composite SEP scores was insufficient to be able to draw a conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that socioeconomic inequalities, as assessed by educational level and income/wealth, are associated with healthy ageing. These findings, and the broader evidence base on SEP and healthy ageing, highlight the importance of addressing inequality through integrated health and social policies and strategies.
Authors: Ana María Arias-Monsalve; Samuel Arias-Valencia; Diana Carolina Rubio-León; Daniel-Camilo Aguirre-Acevedo; Lisbeth Re Tifo Re Tifo; Jesús Andrés Estrada Cortes; Yenny Vicky Paredes Arturo Journal: Int J Psychol Res (Medellin) Date: 2022 Jan-Jun