In this last activity you explored how globalisation can impact the health of all groups in societies across the world, including older people. Now look at some examples of how the global forces you identified can influence the health of older people specifically:
Nonetheless, when considering the health and wellbeing of older people, it is not just important to consider how global forces affect older people, but also, as you saw in Activity 4, attention must be given to the younger generation and their experience of ageing. Our behaviours and circumstances in earlier periods of our life can influence our health and wellbeing in later life. A good example is the influence that globalisation is having on our lifestyles.
Globalisation has resulted in a greater availability of products like tobacco and fast food, leading to potentially detrimental lifestyle changes. International advertising and the expansion of branded products and chains of restaurants into different countries are all important in influencing individual behaviour. Hence, another challenge that population ageing poses to global health is tackling global forces that contribute to non-communicable diseases and conditions in later life, and might also result in increases in life expectancy not being spent in good health.
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