Introduction

A groundbreaking study published in *The Lancet Public Health* has unveiled a startling truth: despite a growing need for mobility aids among older adults, women are significantly less likely than men to use these essential devices. The research indicates that as the population ages, particularly those over fifty, many individuals find themselves lacking the mobility support needed to maintain their independence and social connections.

Study Overview

The study scrutinized data from over 12,000 participants aged between 50 and 89 over a 13-year span (2006-2019), tapping into the insights provided by the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. Alarmingly, of the 8,432 participants reporting mobility difficulties, 61% (5,102 individuals) experienced unmet need at least once—meaning they did not utilize a mobility aid even when it could have significantly improved their situation.

Gender Disparity in Mobility Aid Usage

Women were found to be 50% more likely than men to move from having no need for mobility aids to requiring one without actually using it. Even more concerning is the observation that when faced with unmet needs, women were 20% less likely to adopt mobility aids compared to their male counterparts.

What’s Behind This Discrepancy?

According to Jamie Danemayer, the first author and researcher from UCL, the findings highlight a critical gender gap in access to mobility aids. Existing data suggests that women frequently face barriers to acquiring these aids, citing cost disparities due to the documented wage gap. Moreover, many aids are designed with men in mind, leaving women without suitable options.

Danemayer elaborated, “The visibility of mobility aids can also subject women to safety concerns and stigma, further discouraging their use. This area of public health requires urgent attention to understand and dismantle these barriers.”

Demographic Insights

Interestingly, the research also identified other demographics linked to a greater likelihood of needing mobility support, such as lower educational levels, unemployment, and lower income. However, it was specifically noted that women, regardless of such background factors, continue to struggle to secure the assistance they need.

Economic Barriers

Previous findings from the UCL Global Disability Innovation Hub echo this concern, revealing that cost is a significant barrier to mobility aid access for both genders. Professor Cathy Holloway asserts that lacking assistance has profound impacts on individuals' independence and wellbeing, advocating for more support directed at women, who are disproportionately affected.

Call to Action

Professor Shereen Hussein from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine emphasized the urgency of addressing these gender disparities in mobility aid access. “This study highlights the essential need for inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches when developing assistive technologies,” she said. “Policymakers must prioritize gender equity in both aging and disability policies.”

Conclusion

As society grapples with an aging population, the need for action has never been more pressing. With compelling evidence now available, there’s a clear call for further research to unearth and rectify the barriers preventing women from accessing vital mobility aids—because no one should face the challenges of aging alone.

Stay Informed

**Stay tuned—this issue will affect millions!**