Mapping intersectional aging vulnerabilities in Aragón: A new GIS methodology from a gender perspective

The research aims to develop an evidence-based feminist methodology to address aging vulnerability in the region of Aragón in Spain. The study is motivated by Spain's demographic aging and care crisis, caused by an increased aging population, life expectancy, and prevalence of age-related illnesses. The investigation targets the gender-specific challenges of caregiving, highlighting women's predominant roles in care practices. The main novelty of the study lies in integrating feminist epistemology and situated knowledge theories to quantify and map aging vulnerability, an approach previously unexplored in the context of regional planning and aging studies. Seventeen intersectional indicators, based on open-source municipal data across six dimensions (demographic aging, dependency, gender, aged care, healthcare, and territorial structure), are mapped using GIS tools and data-driven decision-making methods. The indicators are classified according to risk levels to visualize areas with higher aging vulnerability. The findings show Aragón's territorial disparities and challenges in demographic aging, gender gaps among older adults, and regional variations in aged care and healthcare access. The study offers policymakers a holistic roadmap for efficient resource allocation, promoting sustainable strategies to enhance the well-being of older adults in Aragón and other regions facing similar challenges.