Preventing the Diseases of Aging: Special Focus: Healthy Aging. Chronic Disease Notes and Reports, Volume 12, Number 3, Fall 1999

摘要

The new millennium brings the nation many challenges, but none is more troubling than that of caring for increasingly large population of Americans older than 65 years. Not only has the birthrate decreased since 1964, when the baby boom ended; at the same time, life expectancy has increased dramatically, from 47 years in 1900 to 76 years in 1990. Adults over than 85 years are the fastest-growing part of the population; by 2030, they are expected to number 8.5 million. 'If disease patterns stay the same, the health care system will have to spend an additional $400 to $500 billion to cover the costs of an older population,' said James S. Marks, MD, MPH, Director, NCCDPHP. However lifestyle changes and increased emphasis on prevention could reverse the trends of increasing chronic disease, disability, and death.