SESPAS Webinar: Old age, society and public health

December 12

The morbidity and mortality caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the elderly and those living in old-age homes in particular. They have also suffered the adverse effects of some of the measures that were put into place to control and prevent the pandemic.

This situation represents an opportunity for us to reflect on the role of the elderly in society, our values in this regard, and how to address the problems arising from physical infirmity, loneliness, and social exclusion. It is also important that we analyze the extent to which the healthcare demands of the elderly actually correspond to their own interests and expectations or whether they are more influenced by the economic and social interests of third parties. If the latter is true, then we need to assess our interventionist and excessively paternalistic geriatric policies and how they affect equity and quality of life.

Our experience of COVID-19 in nursing homes could serve as an example of the benefits and harm caused by healthcare policy with special emphasis on the consequences of the preventative measures implemented in such facilities.
 

This activity was been organized in conjunction with the Sociedad Española de Salud Pública y Administración Sanitaria (Spanish Association of Public Health and Healthcare - SESPAS).

You can find audios and presentations files below.

Images