Diseases of ageing in Ghana

Paul K. Ayernor, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and PRI

Chronic non-communicable diseases have significant health and economic implications for individuals and their caregivers. The objective of the paper is to outline the chronic non-communicable disease burden of older adults and predict the odds of living with a chronic non-communicable disease. The paper utilized descriptive and analytical statistical methods to assess the level of chronic non-communicable diseases among older adults. Data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in 2005 in Ghana were used. It comprises 507 individuals aged 50 years and older across the country. The results show that 7 percent of the respondents have diabetes; 33 percent were hypertensive and 45 percent have oral health problems. Rural residents were twice as likely to live with a chronic non-communicable condition compared to urban dwellers. The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases among the elderly in Ghana is likely to increase in the future.