It is for the first time in history that most people can expect to live into their 60s and beyond. This numeric surge in older people is dramatically illustrated in the world’s two most populated countries: China and India. China’s older population – those over age 65 – is expected to grow from 110 million today to 330 million by 2050. India’s older population of 60 million is projected to exceed 227 million in 2050. The consequences for health systems, their workforce and budgets are profound. Governments, societies, healthcare systems and industries need to adapt their thinking, laws, facilities, services, and product in order to address this dramatic social change. Elderly people can be major contributors to society, yet today they are treated as if wearing a “Scarlet A”. In a society that admires the young, the elderly are quite often inadequately treated. Several factors contribute to this situation: frailty, poor understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, lack of gerontologists and proper institutional healthcare solutions. Digital health technologies may offer some relief to the elderly. All of the above are the focus of The Impact of Aging on Population Health and World Economy track on May 23.
