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Older Europeans’ health perception and their adaptive behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sonja Spitzer, Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital
Mujaheed Shaikh, Hertie School of Governance
Daniela Weber, Wittgenstein Centre, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Vienna University of Economics and Business

Despite their high vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant proportion of older adults does not follow recommended guidelines concerning preventive actions. This paper analyses the role of biased health beliefs for adaptive health behaviour such as reduced mobility, protection in public spaces, and hygiene measures for the population aged 50 and older in 13 European countries. Health perception is measured based on the difference between self-reported health and physical performance tests for over 24,000 individuals included in the most recent Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Results suggest that older adults who underestimate their health are more likely to show adaptive behaviour related to mobility reductions, while overestimating health is not significantly associated with reduced mobility. Furthermore, protective behaviour in public spaces and hygiene measures do not vary systematically between health perception groups. In summary, health beliefs appear relevant for the adoption of preventive health behaviours related to mobility, thus having serious consequences for the health and well-being of older Europeans. While adaptive behaviour helps to contain the virus, exaggerated reduction in mobility of those who underestimate their health might contribute to the already high social isolation and loneliness of older adults during the ongoing pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19, Demographic and social surveys, Older adults, Policy

See paper.

  Presented in Session 176. Demographic and Socioeconomic Aspects of Health Across Many Geographies