Aging in Africa, challenges and opportunities—the particular case of Cabo Verde

This chapter refers to aging in Cabo Verde, a Western African country. The text starts with aging in Africa and the West African Region, followed by geography and climate of Cabo Verde and a historical overview of settlement by the Portuguese, their initial perceptions as healthy islands, epidemiology of slave society and the consequences of prevalent diseases and famines. The one genetic profile of the Cape Verdean population, the age pyramid and urbanization phenomenon are addressed, including the demographic effects of aging and the elderly. Philosophy, structures and budgetary evolution of the National Health Service, healthy and active aging policies, aging and poverty and aging and gender are also addressed. The main principles and values of public policies intended for the elderly caring are revisited, followed by considerations concerning the next update to the Strategic Plan for Healthy Aging and public policies, intended for healthy living and active aging in Cabo Verde.