Global health. The current scenario and future perspectives

242 for those who are vulnerable, the reality is that more elderly people insist on actively participating in their communities and the political arena. Today, very few older individuals settle for passive roles, both in their own lives and within their communities. This active engagement should be valued and facilitated whenever possible. The current older population represents a great reserve of knowledge, memory, intuition and experience that must be effectively harnessed. In all policy development processes, these voices contribute to developing an approach that synchronizes from its foundation with any top-down initiative. Many historical changes also have implications for family dynamics. Modern families look very different from those in 1970, with differences including smaller family sizes, more childless families and increased separations. There are also more same-sex families and people living alone. Modern families have diverse relationships between their members, such as adoptive parents, half-siblings and stepsiblings. The increasing mobility of people around the world is another factor to consider. Many people have relatives who were born in other countries or who have emigrated to other countries. All these factors contribute to less certainty about who will care for individuals in old age. In Australia and Europe, for example, the most frequent caregivers are 70-year-old women who take on this role with their older husbands or parents. It is more common to have fewer children and more individuals live alone. People also have different partners throughout their lives and there is a significant presence of women in the workforce. A new vision of the aging process Health and well-being are influenced by a variety of factors, including social, economic, environmental and cultural contexts. Therefore, it is crucial to involve these sectors in developing policies that promote health and well-being while reducing the number of older adults living with disability and illness. While individuals can control much of their health, many health inequalities stem from social factors, which underlines the need for policies that address these social determinants of health. The longevity revolution affects all countries. Both developed and developing nations face challenges related to pension programs and ensuring that older adults can lead valued and fulfilling lives. Countries