Özet:

Abstract As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health risks situation and economic stress faced by older adults’ places them as a vulnerable group. This manuscript aims to analyze the health and economic vulnerabilities associated with COVID- 19, prior to the pandemic. We used data from the fourth wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) of 2015. Two logistic regression models were estimated, the first one to examine the health profile of older adults having aggravating chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension and heart problems) related to COVID-19, the second model examine the economic profile of those reporting fair or bad self-reported economic situation; in both analyses the underlying hypothesis points out to a higher vulnerability by health and economic conditions. Results indicate that the older adults vulnerable in health have associated factors making them more vulnerable to COVID-19 (e.g. additional diseases, sedentary lifestyle and obesity). Meanwhile the economically vulnerable older adults are those located in the poorest income strata, with less accumulated assets, with lower educational achievement, not working due to illness or advanced age. The conclusion highlights the importance to identify the associated factors with the vulnerabilities of the elderly, the necessity to adjust public policies and programs during and after health outbreaks, like COVID-19. Finally, it is emphasized that the management of the pandemic requires comprehensive approaches, with support for highly vulnerable groups, such as the elderly.

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