Definition: Age

The number of years you have been on the earth for. Age discrimination arises when someone is unfairly disadvantaged for reasons, which cannot be objectively justified, relating to their age.118CIPD – Age and Employment

Age

Homelessness perspective119Homelessness in Scotland: 2022/23

The homeless population of Scotland is younger than the general population of Scotland. People who experience homelessness, especially multiple exclusions, have a lower life expectancy, meaning that the average age of people experiencing homelessness is younger.

Within homelessness, certain aspects can be heightened due to age:

The harm for someone with multiple exclusions who is older increases each time they present as homeless. These experiences can contribute to further mental or physical health issues due to the stress on their body, inability to visit a GP, complications receiving their medication (especially if they collect daily from a particular location) or lack of stability and routine.

Gambling perspective

Children and young adults are more likely to experience harm from their own gambling compared to older adults. 

Harmful gambling is more common in children 11-16 years old (0.9%)120Gambling Commission – Young People and Gambling Report 2022 than it is in adults over 16 years old (0.2%).121Headline statistics (gamblingcommission.gov.uk) ; Gambling behaviour in 2022: Findings from the quarterly telephone survey (gamblingcommission.gov.uk) Among adults in Scotland, adults aged 25-34 are at the highest risk.122Chapter 9 Gambling - The Scottish Health Survey 2021 - volume 1: main report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Activity

Choose True or False for each statement. Young people experiencing gambling harm are more likely to experience the following:123Wardle & McManus (2021), Suicidality and gambling among young adults in Great Britain; Blake et al. (2019), Measuring gambling-related harms among children and young people: A framework for action; Raisamo et al. (2012), Gambling-related harms among adolescents: A population-based study; Ste-Marie et al. (2006), Anxiety and social stress related to adolescent gambling behaviour and substance use; Yip et al. (2011), Health/functioning characteristics, gambling behaviours, and gambling-related motivations in adolescents stratified by gambling problem severity: Findings from a high-school survey; Potenza et al. (2011), Correlates of at-risk/ problem internet gambling in adolescents