Harmful Effects of Ageism on Older Persons' Health Found in 45 Countries

In the largest examination to date of the health consequences of ageism, or age-based bias, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have found evidence that it harms the health of older people in 45 countries and across 5 continents. The study included over 7 million participants.

The analysis was based on a systematic review of 422 studies around the world. There was evidence of the adverse effects of ageism on older persons in 96% of the studies.

“The injurious reach of ageism that our team documented demonstrates the need for initiatives to overcome ageism,” said Levy, the study’s senior author.