Relationship between active aging and the Human Development Index: particularities of aging in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To examine the correlation between the Brazilian Active Aging Index (AAI-Brazil) and the Human Development Index (HDI) at both national and regional levels. Methods: Based on the original AAI developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in response to the World Health Organization’s program to promote more active and healthy aging, we calculated the total and domain-specific (AAI-independence, AAI-employment, AAI-capacity, and AAI-participation) scores of the AAI-Brazil for Brazil and its regions. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and analyzed in relation to the overall HDI and its indicators (HDI-education, HDI-income, and HDI-longevity) using linear regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The overall AAI-Brazil score was 34%, with domain-specific scores of 57% for independence, 39% for employment, 14% for capacity 14%, and 9% participation. The Central-West region had the highest score (36%), followed by the South and Southeast (both 35%). The North and Northeast regions had the lowest overall scores (34% and 32%, respectively), as well as the lowest scores across all domains. A positive and significant relationship was found between the AAI-Brazil and total HDI (p = 0.029), HDI-education (p = 0.011), and HDI-income (p = 0.035); as well as between AAI-capacity and total HDI (p = 0.004), HDI-education (p = 0.016), HDI-income (p = 0.008), and HDI-longevity (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Regions with higher AAI-Brazil scores were associated with higher HDI levels. This finding suggests that human development disparities affect the healthy and active aging of the Brazilian population.