Title: Aging: a subject that must be at the top of world agendas. The aging of populations demands major changes across society and health care [editorial]

POPLINE Document Number: 129060

Author(s):

Greengross S
Murphy E
Quam L
Rochon P
Smith R

Source citation:

BMJ (CLINICAL RESEARCH ED.), 1997 Oct 25;315(7115):1029-30.

Abstract:

Demographic aging requires major changes across society and in the delivery of health care. Overall, people are living longer than they used to and aging has become an important issue. Only 17% of Britons born 150 years ago reached age 75, while 66% of people born today will reach that age. The proportion of people over age 60 in Britain's population will grow from the current level of 20% to comprise 33% by 2030, and people over age 80 comprise the fastest growing segment of the population. In 1951, Britain had 300 people over age 100; by 2031 it will have 34,000. A comparable growth in the numbers of elderly has been observed in other developed countries. Recently industrialized countries are experiencing a much more rapid transition in their age structure. Much remains to be learned about the impact of population aging upon the developing world. Societies need to change as birth rates fall and life expectancy rises. This paper presents a brief overview of articles in the British Medical Journal's theme issue upon aging.

Keywords:

Global
Demographic Aging
Older Adults
Older Adults, 80 and Over
Social Change
Needs
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Adults
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Economic Factors