Problems of Data Availability and Quality for COVID-19 and Older People in LMICs

In all countries, the risk of dying from a COVID-19 infection increases markedly with advancing age. As a result, people at older ages make up the majority of reported COVID-19 deaths, even in countries where population ageing is still at a relatively early stage. It might be expected, then, that policymakers and researchers would pay particular attention to the effects of the pandemic on this age group. Yet this is clearly not the case. Global public health responses have done little to move beyond the existing situation, characterised by the exclusion of and discrimination against older people. This can be seen in many areas of policy and debate, some of which are discussed in other contributions to the Global Platform. This blog focusses specifically on data issues.