Socio-demographic change and active ageing. Scientific contributions to anticipatory public policies (Cambio sociodemográfico y envejecimiento activo. Contribución científica para políticas públicas previsoras) (2009-2011)

Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Andreas Kruse, Prof. Dr. Eric Schmitt

Project Coordinator: Dr. Carolin Kollewe

Project Partners: Secretaría de Salud y Bienestar Social del Estado de Colima (Mexico), Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico), Universidad de Colima (Mexico), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Fundación Academia Europea de Yuste (Spain)

Financed by: FONCICYT (Fondo de Cooperación Internacional en Ciencia y Tecnología Unión Europea - México/International Fonds for the cooperation in the Sciences and Technology European Union - Mexico)

Project Description

Latin America is one of the regions in the world facing the fastest rate of demographic change in the decades ahead. Currently governments of countries that have to date been characterized as “young” are also increasingly beginning to develop programs for the elderly.

The main objective of this international research project is to explore the social and mental situation of elderly people in the Mexican state of Colima. Heidelberg University is cooperating with Colima´s Ministry of Health, the Universidad de Colima, Universidad de Guadalajara, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Fundación Academia Europea de Yuste (Spain). Topics such as self-perception of ageing and the quality of life of elderly people will be investigated in comparative studies in Mexico, Spain and Germany.

These surveys will form a basis for the improvement of services for older people in the state of Colima. In addition to this, they will also be used to help to develop appropriate political measures for the future. The European partners will contribute their experience from gerontological research, programs and policies regarding the elderly from their own countries.