Active ageing in Italy: evidence from the PASSI d’Argento surveillance system, 2023–2024
Abstract
Background: The PASSI d’Argento monitors health, participation, and security among adults ≥65 years in Italy, in line with the Active Ageing strategy of the World Health Organization. This study describes the profile of older adults and identifies priority areas for intervention.
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a representative sample of over 35,000 adults aged ≥65 years residing in Italy, interviewed in 2023–2024. Indicators related to the three pillars of active ageing were analyzed: health and autonomy, social participation, and security/access to services.
Results: Poor self-rated health was reported by 7% of 65–74-year-olds and 16% of ≥ 85-year-olds; depressive symptoms affected 7% and 13%, respectively. Overall, 57% reported at least one chronic disease (72% among ≥85), and 22% multimorbidity (37% among ≥85). Disability (≥1 ADL limitation) affected 14% (42% among ≥85), while frailty reached 31% in the oldest group. Care is mainly provided by families (95%). Regarding participation, 29% of older adults act as a resource for family or community, whereas only 7% reported paid work. Social participation declines with age; 14% are at risk of social isolation (31% among ≥85). About one-third reported difficulties accessing health or commercial services; 8% perceived their neighborhood as unsafe and 7% reported housing problems. Socioeconomic and gender inequalities affect all outcomes, with worse conditions among individuals with lower education or economic difficulties and among women.
Conclusions: Findings highlight both strengths and critical issues in ageing in Italy: while overall self-rated health is relatively good, significant challenges remain in terms of chronic conditions, disability, social isolation, and access to services
Key messages: • Although many older adults report good health, relevant challenges persist in chronic conditions, disability, social isolation, and access to services.
• It is a priority to strengthen prevention, integrated care, and social inclusion, reduce inequalities, and support caregiving systems to promote active ageing in Italy.
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BibTeX
@article{masocco2026active,
title = {{Active ageing in Italy: evidence from the PASSI d’Argento surveillance system, 2023–2024}},
author = {M Masocco and F Asta and V Minardi and B Contoli},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1888},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1888},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Active ageing in Italy: evidence from the PASSI d’Argento surveillance system, 2023–2024
AU - M Masocco
AU - F Asta
AU - V Minardi
AU - B Contoli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1888
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1888
AB - Background: The PASSI d’Argento monitors health, participation, and security among adults ≥65 years in Italy, in line with the Active Ageing strategy of the World Health Organization. This study describes the profile of older adults and identifies priority areas for intervention. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a representative sample of over 35,000 adults aged ≥65 years residing in Italy, interviewed in 2023–2024. Indicators related to the three pillars of active ageing were analyzed: health and autonomy, social participation, and security/access to services. Results: Poor self-rated health was reported by 7% of 65–74-year-olds and 16% of ≥ 85-year-olds; depressive symptoms affected 7% and 13%, respectively. Overall, 57% reported at least one chronic disease (72% among ≥85), and 22% multimorbidity (37% among ≥85). Disability (≥1 ADL limitation) affected 14% (42% among ≥85), while frailty reached 31% in the oldest group. Care is mainly provided by families (95%). Regarding participation, 29% of older adults act as a resource for family or community, whereas only 7% reported paid work. Social participation declines with age; 14% are at risk of social isolation (31% among ≥85). About one-third reported difficulties accessing health or commercial services; 8% perceived their neighborhood as unsafe and 7% reported housing problems. Socioeconomic and gender inequalities affect all outcomes, with worse conditions among individuals with lower education or economic difficulties and among women. Conclusions: Findings highlight both strengths and critical issues in ageing in Italy: while overall self-rated health is relatively good, significant challenges remain in terms of chronic conditions, disability, social isolation, and access to services Key messages: • Although many older adults report good health, relevant challenges persist in chronic conditions, disability, social isolation, and access to services. • It is a priority to strengthen prevention, integrated care, and social inclusion, reduce inequalities, and support caregiving systems to promote active ageing in Italy.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -