The disappointing conclusion: Latvian seniors, compared to other European countries, have a low number of healthy years of life and a high level of chronic diseases.
The Worst Off?
The Center for Disease Prevention and Control published a thematic report on the health of elderly people in Latvia last week.
The proportion of elderly people in Latvian society, as in all of Europe, is growing. By 2025, approximately 22% of Latvia's population will be over 64 years old. However, a long life in Latvia does not always mean healthy years.
After reaching the age of 65, the average number of healthy years of life in Latvia is only 4.8 years, while in EU countries it is twice as much — 9.4 years.
In Estonia, it is 7.6 years, in Lithuania — 7.4 years, in Sweden almost 14 years, and in Finland — 9.4 years.
This means that the majority of elderly people in Latvia spend the remainder of their lives with chronic diseases, health limitations, and “entertainments” such as visits to doctors and hospitalizations.
Seniors make up more than a quarter of all state-funded outpatient patients and almost half of those treated in hospitals. Emergency calls to pensioners account for nearly half of all calls, and about half of these cases end in hospitalization.
What Causes More Deaths
The most common cause of death among elderly people is cardiovascular diseases, which accounted for 57% of all deaths in 2024.
They are also the primary reason for hospital admissions and emergency calls, most often due to high blood pressure, heart problems, and strokes.
The second most frequent cause of death is malignant tumors (20% in 2024). They are also one of the most common reasons for hospital treatment.
The Issue of Depression and Suicide
Another “sensitive topic” is mental health. Many seniors' mental disorders are not recognized in a timely manner, and treatment often begins late.
Almost half of pensioners with registered mental disorders have been diagnosed with dementia or other brain-related disorders, and symptoms of depression are diagnosed in about one in five.
Due to mental health issues, seniors often undergo prolonged hospital treatment, and suicides are the second most common external cause of death after falls.
About 100 People Die Each Year Due to Injuries
Injuries, especially falls, are another significant health risk for those aged “over 65.”
Falls are the leading external cause of death for seniors and one of the most common reasons for loss of independence and the need for long-term care.
On average, more than a hundred seniors die each year due to falls, and the consequences of such injuries are often severe and long-lasting.
Risk Factors
Many elderly people lead a sedentary lifestyle, and nearly 80% of them are overweight or suffer from obesity, as noted by the CDPC.
Moreover, although smoking and alcohol consumption among seniors is less common than in younger age groups, these risk factors still exist, especially among men, and contribute to both the development of chronic diseases and the risk of injuries.
According to the CDPC, official medicine needs to better integrate healthcare and social services, especially in the regions of Latvia.
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