Document Type
Article
Department
Brain and Mind Institute; Population Health (East Africa)
Abstract
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.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Alzheimer's Dementia
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14527
Recommended Citation
Mostert, C.,
Mekkaoui, N. E.,
Ali, S.,
Momoh, C.,
Nesic, O.,
Blackmon, K.,
Thesen, T.,
Andai, D.,
Merali, Z.,
Karanja, M.
(2025). Investing in equitable healthy aging: Why Africa must reform social pension schemes to improve Alzheimer's disease and dementia outcomes. Alzheimer's Dementia, 1-9.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/bmi/450
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
