Editor’s note: Disability in older people during wars: the Ukrainian war
2024

Disability in Older People During the Ukrainian War

Editorial Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Veronese Nicola

Primary Institution: Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences

Hypothesis

How has the Russian invasion affected disability trends among older adults in Ukraine?

Conclusion

The war has led to a significant increase in disability rates among older adults in Ukraine, exacerbating pre-existing health issues.

Supporting Evidence

  • Disability rates among older adults in Ukraine have nearly tripled since the war began.
  • Conditions like cardiovascular diseases and cancer were already significant contributors to disability before the war.
  • The war has disrupted healthcare services, worsening the management of non-communicable diseases.

Takeaway

The war in Ukraine has made many older people much sicker and disabled, especially those with heart problems and other diseases.

Methodology

The authors examined disability trends among older adults due to non-communicable diseases from 2013 to 2023.

Limitations

The study may not fully capture all aspects of disability trends due to the ongoing nature of the conflict.

Participant Demographics

Older adults in Ukraine, particularly in frontline regions.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s40520-024-02907-3

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