Health status and gerontological evaluation in Mexican older adults in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Older adults constitute the most vulnerable population group to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mexico, their biopsychosocial conditions might intensify their vulnerability. Method: Affiliation to health systems, health conditions and gerontological evaluation of 3,218 older adults were analyzed following the methodology of the PAHO-Mexico Health, Well-being and Aging Survey. Results: 88.6 % of older adults referred being affiliated to health systems; 30.2 %, 52.4 %, 10.3 %, 4.1 % and 5.6 % referred suffering from diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, respectively; 15.6 % reported urinary incontinence, and 11.3%, fecal incontinence; 12.1 % of the women referred having suffered from breast cancer at some point, and 6.3 %, cervical cancer. The habit of smoking tobacco was observed in 11.1 %, risk of malnutrition in 32.8 %, established malnutrition in 4.1 %, and functional dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily life in 16.3 % and 17.6 %, respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive gerontological evaluation is essential for efficient care of older adults who suffer from COVID-19, and for adequate care of the effects or health conditions at the conclusion of the confinement imposed by the pandemic.