2008 Age Plus Prize Winner

Beatriz Alvarado Llano
McGill University
Social and gender inequalities in depressive symptoms among urban older adults of Latin America and the Caribbean

Results from many Canadian studies show that older women are twice as likely as older men to suffer from depression. Similar findings were found in Dr. Alvarado Llano's study on older populations from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Her study identified the gender gap in depressive symptoms and searched for possible explanations.

Dr. Alvarado Llano and her colleagues analysed data collected from a community sample survey of older people in seven LAC cities, carried out by the Pan-American Health Organization (SABE). They applied a conceptual model that helps researchers understand the sex/gender gaps in health.

From a life course perspective, this study provides important insight into the gender gap in elderly depression: 1) women and men have differential vulnerability to child exposures, which results in different health profiles later in life; 2) women are more often exposed to poor social conditions throughout their lives, resulting in poorer mental health; and 3) depression in elderly women was mainly related to differential exposure to current stressful circumstances, such as insufficient income and the presence of chronic diseases and/or disabilities. The results of this research show that the gap in depression rates between elderly women and men has a social origin, is amenable to prevention and requires a multisectoral policy.

Currently in summer 2008, Dr. Alvarado Llano is interested in continuing her career in research on aging with an international perspective. She is currently finishing her postdoctoral degree at McGill University, working to identify the best prevention strategies to reduce disparities in cardiovascular diseases. In the future, she hopes to help create a platform to integrate research on aging in low-middle income countries with Canada. She would also like to be involved in teaching activities, especially in the training of master's students studying aging and international health.