Gerontology-specific graduate programs in Brazil and Colombia

Every year the proportion of elderly people increases at a greater rate compared with other age groups, changing the population structure of most countries. Latin America has been internationally known for its higher percentage of young compared with elderly persons. The United Nations predicts that the proportion of elderly persons in Latin America and the Caribbean will be more similar to world figures in 2020 and even higher in 2040. The increasing elderly population in Latin America has increased the demand for advanced degree professionals with gerontology training. Nevertheless, in spite of training efforts during the last decade, the number of gerontology professionals is still insufficient. In total, the authors were able to locate only ten gerontology programs in Latin America (four in Brazil, two in Argentina, and one each in Uruguay, Peru, Cuba, and Colombia). The programs currently available in Brazil and Colombia are described in an effort to share information on the common characteristics of Master's and PhD degree programs in gerontology in Latin America. The authors concluded that, in Latin America, programs focused exclusively on gerontology are scarce.