Burden of disease in older adults in Mexico, 1990-2022: time trends and challenges for the health system.

Background: Aging, urbanization, and lifestyle changes have fueled the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) epidemic.

Objective: Assess mortality, disability, risk factors and life expectancy in people aged ≥60 years (LE-60) in Mexico from 1990-2022 using estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk factors study.

Material and methods: Health loss/gain in terms of disability-adjusted life years, risk factors, LE-60 and healthy life expectancy (HALE-60) by sex and state were analyzed.

Results: NCDs and metabolic risk factors were the main contributors of health loss, noting a high prevalence of non-lethal conditions related to functional decline (vision and hearing), oral conditions, and chronic pain (back pain and osteoarthritis). All-cause mortality and disability rates decreased among men and women while LE-60 and HALE-60 increased from 1990-2022, with state-level variations. States with greater development and healthcare had higher LE-60 and HALE-60.

Conclusions: LE-60 increases were not accompanied by reductions in disability due to functional decline, highlighting the need for healthcare strategies to enhance healthy aging.