A RESEARCH PROGRAMME TO DEMONSTRATE HOW ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC INEQUALITY AFFECT HEALTHCARE USE AND MEASUREMENTS IN OLDER PEOPLE

Abstract

Concerns about population ageing and decline have serious implications for long-term viability in today's context of rapid and pervasive urbanisation. This viewpoint justifies their interface by (a) acknowledging the possibilities and threats that shrinking urban populations and ageing populations pose to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and (b) discussing new interventions to make the most of the possibilities and mitigate the threats to sustainability. If we want to reap the advantages and mitigate the risks of an ageing urban population without compromising sustainability in the long run, we will need to implement a plethora of technological, economic, institutional, and governance efforts tailored to each environment. Having access to tools and information online is becoming an integral aspect of contemporary life. With the use of the WHO Health Equity Analysis Toolkit (HEAT) and cross-country panel data, this research investigates how Internet access affects health inequalities across different socioeconomic groups. Having access to the internet significantly improves average health and decreases health inequities, according to the research. In addition, utilising GBD database data from different countries, this research looks at the economic and social aspects that impact healthcare access. Internet connection, in particular, mitigates the negative impacts of income inequality on healthcare accessibility and substantially enhances it.