(Trans)forming to Care: Challenges in Health Education for Aging

Abstract

Introduction: Population aging is a global reality, marked by significant demographic and social changes. In recent decades, Brazil has shown a significant increase in life expectancy and a reduction in fertility rates, reshaping the age profile of the population. It is estimated that by 2050, the country will occupy the sixth position in the world ranking of older adults, totaling more than 32 million people aged 60 years or older. With advancing age, there is a higher prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, multimorbidity, and specific conditions that demand multiprofessional and interdisciplinary approaches (SILVA et al., 2021). In this context, two complementary yet distinct fields emerge: Geriatrics, a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in older adults, and Gerontology, a multidisciplinary science that studies the aging process in its biological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions. Despite their relevance, there are still significant gaps between the growing demand for trained professionals in these areas and the limited offer of adequate training programs in Brazilian higher education institutions (BARBOSA et al., 2025; RODRIGUES, TODARO, BATISTA, 2021). The research question guiding this study is: How is the training in Gerontology and Geriatrics structured in Brazil in the face of accelerated population aging? Thus, the relevance of this work lies in the need to understand and analyze the availability of courses and programs, as well as to reflect on the impacts of this shortage on the quality of care provided to the older population. Objective: To analyze official documents and institutional data on training in Gerontology and Geriatrics in Brazil, identifying gaps, challenges, and perspectives for strengthening professional and academic training in elderly care. Methodology: This is a documentary analysis based on official sources from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the National Health Council, data from the e-MEC system on higher education health courses (BRASIL, 2024), as well as institutional information from the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SBGG). Normative documents, public policy reports, and institutional records published between 2018 and 2025 were included. The analysis was conducted in three stages: (1) identification of documents and official sources; (2) extraction and categorization of information related to training in Gerontology and Geriatrics (courses, residency programs, specializations, and professional associations); (3) critical analysis based on updated technical-scientific literature to contextualize the findings in relation to the demands of the Brazilian elderly population. Since this is a documentary analysis using public data, submission to a Research Ethics Committee was not required. Results and discussion: The analysis revealed a significant shortage of training in Gerontology and Geriatrics in Brazil. At the undergraduate level, only two on-site Bachelor’s degrees in Gerontology exist—at the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)—since the profession of gerontologist is not yet regulated in Brazil, although a bill has been pending in Congress since 2013 (BRASIL, 2013). In addition, there are distance-learning technological courses offered by UniCesumar, Uninter, Estácio, and PUC Minas. With an average of 40 seats per institution per year, it is estimated that Brazil graduates approximately 120 gerontologists annually—a number insufficient for a population of older adults already exceeding 19 million people. In graduate education, Brazil has six Master’s and Doctoral programs in Gerontology (UFPE, USP, PUC-SP, UFSM, UFSCar, and UFPB). Notably, UFPB established the country’s first Professional Doctorate in Gerontology. However, training capacity remains limited, restricting the number of specialized researchers and faculty, which impacts the quality of health education and the dissemination of scientific knowledge on aging. In Multiprofessional Residency Programs, more than 200 positions were offered in 2024 in postgraduate programs focused on elderly care, covering fields such as Adult and Elderly Health; Adult and Elderly Health with emphasis on Cardiovascular Care; Elderly Health Care; Chronic Disease Management; and Humanized Elderly Care (BRASIL, 2024). Professionals from Nursing, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Nutrition, Social Work, Pharmacy, Speech Therapy, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, and Biology were included. However, Gerontology is not yet recognized as a specialty in all these professions, which represents a challenge for consolidating multiprofessional practice in this field (BARBOSA et al., 2025). In Geriatrics, shortages are also evident, with only 35 residency programs nationwide. Data from the National Medical Residency Commission (2018) indicate that only 1,817 physicians were registered as specialists in Geriatrics, ranking the specialty 39th in popularity. The SBGG gathers approximately 2,250 members, a small number compared to the growing demand. These results reflect a mismatch between Brazil’s demographic transition and professional training in health. While the older population grows rapidly, training in Gerontology and Geriatrics remains restricted to a few institutions, reinforcing regional inequalities and limiting access to qualified professionals. Contributions toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): This study directly addresses the 2030 Agenda, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by highlighting the need for trained professionals to ensure comprehensive care for the elderly population; SDG 4 (Quality Education), by identifying gaps and proposing strategies to improve academic and professional training in Gerontology and Geriatrics; and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by emphasizing the role of trained professionals in promoting active aging, social participation, and inclusion. Final considerations: The panorama analyzed highlights that Brazil faces a shortage of training programs in Gerontology and Geriatrics, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as in medical and multiprofessional residencies. This limitation directly impacts the country’s capacity to respond to the demands of a rapidly aging population. It reinforces the urgent need to expand the availability of courses and programs, integrate Gerontology into health curricula, invest in innovative and interprofessional pedagogical practices, and articulate public policies that ensure qualified training to address the diversity and complexity of human aging. Among the limitations, the lack of updated and systematized data on program graduates stands out, making it difficult to accurately assess the formative impact.

Descriptors: Health Education; Aging; Gerontology; Geriatrics; Professional Competence.