People with anemia have fewer red blood cells or red blood cells that are weaker than normal. This causes the blood to carry less oxygen through the body.
Anemia is more common in older adults.
- By age 65, men are somewhat more likely to have anemia than women.
- Up to 22 percent of men over age 80 have anemia.
- Up to 16 percent of women over age 80 have anemia.
Types of Anemia
Iron-deficiency Anemia
Low iron is a very common cause of anemia. Iron levels can be low if a person cannot absorb iron from food, does not eat enough foods that contain iron, or is bleeding and losing iron faster than it can be replaced.
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Anemia related to chronic disease can result from infections, kidney disease, different types of arthritis, tumors, or other long-term conditions. Sometimes anemia is caused by more than one chronic condition at the same time. This type of anemia is more common as people get older.
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia happens when a person does not have enough vitamin B12 or folate. Low vitamin B12 may occur in people who take Metformin for diabetes, use acid-reducing medicines for a long time, or follow strict vegetarian diets. Alcohol use and some medicines can affect how the body uses folate.
Hemolytic Anemia
Hemolytic anemia happens when red blood cells are destroyed by disease. People with this type of anemia may become ill quickly.
Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers