Abstract

Background: Anaemia is a prevalent but often overlooked condition among older adults, linked to frailty, disability, and increased mortality. Understanding its social and health determinants is essential for promoting healthy ageing.

Objective: This study investigates the multilevel determinants of anaemia among older adults in England using data from the 2022 UK Data Service: Understanding Society study.

Methods: Random effects models were applied to explore individual and contextual factors associated with anaemia, including demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics.

Results: The analysis revealed significant regional variation in anaemia prevalence. Higher odds of anaemia were associated with lower socioeconomic status, frailty, and indicators of health inequality.

Conclusion: Tackling anaemia in older adults requires policies that integrate clinical management with strategies addressing social determinants of health. These findings underscore the importance of reducing socioeconomic inequalities to support healthy ageing in England.