Investing in equitable healthy aging: Why Africa must reform social pension schemes to improve Alzheimer's disease and dementia outcomes

The eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. In 2019, women in 14 sub‐Saharan African countries had an average life expectancy of 67 years but a healthy life expectancy of only 57 years, leaving them 5 years in poor health before receiving a pensi...

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Published in:Alzheimer's & dementia Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. e14527 - n/a
Main Authors: Mostert, Cyprian M., Mekkaoui, Najat EL, Ali, Shehzad, Trepel, Dominic, Randcord, Kirti, Udeh‐Momoh, Chinedu, Nesic, Olivera, Blackmon, Karen, Karanja, Mary, Thesen, Thomas, Andai, David, Ayadi, Rym, Eyre, Harris, Merali, Zul
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States John Wiley and Sons Inc 01.02.2025
Subjects:
Africa
Aged
Alzheimer Disease - economics
Alzheimer Disease - mortality
Alzheimer's and dementia
Dementia - economics
Dementia - mortality
elderly care
Female
Healthy Aging
Humans
Life Expectancy
Male
Middle Aged
pension
Pensions - statistics & numerical data
reforms
Africa
pension
Alzheimer's and dementia
healthy aging
reforms
elderly care
Africa
ISSN:1552-5260, 1552-5279, 1552-5279
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. In 2019, women in 14 sub‐Saharan African countries had an average life expectancy of 67 years but a healthy life expectancy of only 57 years, leaving them 5 years in poor health before receiving a pension at age 62. Men had a similar situation—a life expectancy of 62 years and a healthy life expectancy of 53 years, spending 10 years in poor health before becoming eligible for pensions at age 63. Many men do not receive pensions due to early death. Delays and low pension payouts contribute to a 2.5% increase in the death rate from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Highlights Eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. Delays and low pension payouts are associated with worsening death rates from dementia. Average health life expectancy for both genders should serve as a basis for initiating pension payouts.
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ISSN:1552-5260
1552-5279
1552-5279
DOI:10.1002/alz.14527