Only 9% of Portuguese seniors are in good health – Society

The Portuguese elderly population stands out among the rest of the European Union, because of the low levels of health that it presents: only 9% are in good health.

"The result of Portugal is not surprising, but it is frankly worrisome: our elderly are among the least healthy at all levels." Dr. José António Pereira da Silva, coordinator of the study in Portugal, stressed the country's urgency to invest "in promoting active aging", CM .

On the podium of the healthiest are the elderly Austrians (58%), followed by the Swiss (51%). Germany will soon follow with 38% of the elderly population in good health, and France with 37%.

On the causes of mediocre results in Portugal, José António Pereira da Silva emphasizes "accessibility to health care, pensions, housing conditions and lack of literacy".

Among the parameters evaluated, there is "the number of chronic diseases, the level of satisfaction of health and the cognitive and physical state".

301 Portuguese evaluated
The group of Portuguese researchers is formed by 9 health professionals of the country

For the preparation of the study, 2157 people over 70 years of age from several countries were interviewed

University of Coimbra.
For 3 years, participants took vitamin D and / or fatty acid and / or placebo supplements daily to assess their health status

New Study Unit
The study was done in a new unit of the University of Coimbra, funded in part by the European Union. The investment was over 800 thousand euros.