Active Ageing and COVID-19: Change in Behaviour

Date and time:  Tuesday 11 March 2025, 15:30 hours (3.30 pm UK GMT)

Location: Online via Zoom/Microsoft Teams 

To Join: This is a free event, which will be taking place online via Zoom/Microsoft Teams. Register

Abstract: This study examines active ageing in Portugal across different age and socioeconomic groups, with a focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on active ageing. Using survey data from 2021, an individual-level Active Ageing Index (AAI) was developed for three age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60+), covering employment, social participation, independent living, and capacity/enabling environment domains. Descriptive statistics, as well as multivariate linear, logit and ordered logit models were used to analyse active ageing in Portugal and evaluate how it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Statistical analyses revealed lower AAI scores for those aged 60+ compared to younger groups, primarily due to reduced formal employment. However, older individuals performed better in social participation and capacity/enabling environment domains. Gender differences were observed, with women generally scoring lower except in social participation. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected employment, particularly for those aged 40-49, and increased social isolation for women, though it did not impact self-perceived health. Older individuals in Portugal are not necessarily less active or healthy than younger cohorts, except in the employment domain. Policies promoting active ageing should target all age groups, emphasizing the importance of active ageing throughout adulthood. Tailored public policy interventions are necessary to address specific challenges faced by age and gender groups, especially in the context of post-pandemic recovery.

Bio: Professor of Health Economics in the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University, United Kingdom. She holds a PhD in Public Health-Health Economics from the National School of Public Health, Nova University of Lisbon in Portugal, an MSc in European Social Policy Analysis from Bath University in the UK, and graduated in Economics from ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Lisbon University in Portugal. Between 2001 and 2014 she was Assistant Professor of Health Economics at the National School of Public Health at University Nova of Lisbon. She worked for the Institute of Management and IT (Ministry of Health) in the Department of Information Systems Development from 1995 until 2000. She has over 30 years of experience in research and has developed her expertise around economic evaluation of health technologies and interventions, efficiency measurement, equity and quality of life. She has been involved in several scientific associations in the field of health care such as PCSI (Patient Classification Systems International, where she was President between 2000 and 2009), and the Portuguese Health Economics Association (President between 2017-2023). Currently she is President Elect for EuHEA (European Health Economics Association).