10 facts on ageing and the life course
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Long life is a sign of good health. The ageing of the world’s population – in developing and developed countries – is an indicator of improving global health. The world’s elderly population – people 60 years of age and older – is 650 million. By 2050, the ‘greying’ population is forecast to reach 2 billion.
Along with this positive trend, however, come special health challenges for the 21st century. Preparing health providers and societies to meet the needs of elderly people is essential: training for health professionals on old-age care; preventing and managing age-associated chronic diseases; designing sustainable policies on long-term care; and developing age-friendly services and settings.
Fact 1
Ageing is a global phenomenon. The world’s elderly population – people 60 years of age and older – is the fastest growing age group. By 2050 about 80% of the elderly will be living in developing countries. Population ageing is occurring in parallel with rapid urbanisation: in 2007 more...
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