Health Service Access Barriers for Older People in the Region of the Americas

Abstract

With the aim of providing an overview of the current knowledge available on the health and well-being of older people in the Region of the Americas during the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030) and guiding actions aimed at promoting healthy aging, this report identifies the main barriers faced by older people in accessing health services. These include six barriers related to access: health care needs, perception of needs, health care seeking, health care “reaching” (i.e., obtaining health care), health care utilization, and health care “consequences” (health, satisfaction, economic protection), the description and analysis of which are addressed from the standpoint of supply of and demand for services. This approach to the issue makes it possible to delve into the specific barriers that hinder older people’ access to health services, which differ from the barriers faced by people in younger population groups. The impact of factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly increased access barriers, is also highlighted. This report, which is part of The Decade of Healthy Aging in the Americas: situation and challenges, provides elements to help the countries of the Region of the Americas to formulate strategies aimed at eliminating barriers to access to health services, based on the premise that lowering these barriers will foster better health and promote healthy aging.