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NEW - Added December 15, 2009
» Global Health on the Graying Planet
By Linda George
globalhealth.duke.edu • 2007
Our planet is graying. In every major society today, there are ever-increasing numbers and proportions of people over the age of 65.
Indeed, the fastest growing segment of most societies is now the "oldest old"-individuals who are 85 and older. This "graying of the planet" will continue for at least the next 50 years-until today’s high school students are senior citizens.
(...)
Meeting the needs of an aging population requires a transformation of health care systems designed on acute-care models. An older population is a sicker population. Medical school curricula must be redesigned to focus primarily on chronic illnesses. Health care manpower needs increase-not only the per-capita number of physicians and nurses, but also a wide variety of medical technicians, rehabilitation workers and social workers. Different kinds of equipment are required for hospitals and clinics. Health care financing programs, whether public or private, need to reimburse more, different and likely more expensive services.
Thus, global health is largely an issue of global aging. Improving basic medical care and public health during childhood and early adulthood are important in part because they result in healthier older adults. But preventing and treating chronic illnesses will be the primary global health care priority for decades to come, no matter where in the world you live.
Linda George is a professor of sociology and the associate director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.