Chief
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Dr
Abdulrazak Abyad
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity
Institute
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Lebanon
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(961) 6-443685
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Active
Ageing: The whole society benefits
Ageing and Life Course Programme
The
world population is ageing - particularly in developing countries where
the pace and patterns of ageing are without precedent. Currently, the
annual rate of increase of the older populations in developing countries
is much higher than in developed countries.
From 2000 to 2050 there will be an increase in the global elderly
(60+) population of 1.4 billion;
over 90% of the increase will be absorbed by developing countries
where the total number of older persons will be over 1.7 billion.
Health and socio-economic
issues of ageing are inter-related and independently linked to the development
process. Developing appropriate policies for such a rapidly ageing global
population is more than ever an imperative.
The
Demographic variables which mostly contribute to the ageing of populations
are fertility and mortality rates.
All regions are experiencing the impact of the changes in increasing
life expectancy and decline in fertility rates.
However, migration patterns will increasingly play a role on population
dynamics: large numbers of young people will be leaving and many seniors
returning (after retirement abroad) to a large range of countries.
The
gap between the decline in the number of children due to a decrease in
fertility and subsequent increases in older persons is referred to as
the population dividend. It is a time during which countries can take advantage of -
a window of opportunity that can be used to plan for the future older
populations while the number of children is on decline (and, therefore,
the costs to provide them with education and health care are decreasing).
The response from countries currently experiencing such population
dividend has been mixed. South Korea, Thailand and China are among those utilizing it
to their benefit.
Ageing is a development issue and health the key enabling factor. "Healthy older persons are a resource for their families, their communities and the economy". An increase in the number of individuals growing older in ill health will place greater demands on the families and communities with an impact on the economy.
There
are contrasting realities between the developed and developing world.
The gap on GDP per capita separating developing and developed countries
is huge and on the increase. The
rich, already aged societies dependency ratios are inappropriately calculated
as many persons over 65 are active and working.
In many countries there are multiple opportunities for seniors
to continue to enjoy active, productive lives. They are benefiting from
new drugs and medical procedures which they can afford.
The
reality in the developing world is prevailing poverty, lower levels of
education and inadequate social service infrastructure.
Older persons' health status is much lower and so is access to
care. Rapid population ageing
is taking place in parallel with major societal changes such as urbanization,
changes in family structure and in an increasing number of countries,
the impact of AIDS.
In
a nutshell, the developed world became rich before it became old.
Developing countries are becoming old before they become rich.
The World Health Organization is responding to population ageing worldwide by promotion a culture of ageing - which should be, first and foremost, a culture of solidarity. WHO launched at the World Assembly on Ageing (Madrid, 2002) a policy framework on "active ageing" defined as:
"the
process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security
in order to enhance the quality of life as people age".
It is based on a "determinants of health approach" and embraces the following critical perspectives: aging as a development issue; the importance of "life course" to understand the ageing process; using gender and cultural lens on all steps of policy planning; cohorts age differently; stimulating intergenerational cohesion is critical and; the paramount importance of the primary health/community-based care approach.
The
WHO Active Ageing Policy Framework is complementary to the International
Plan of Action on ageing adopted by the United Nations member states at
the Madrid Assembly. In addition to "Health and Wellbeing" the International
Plan is focused on two other main component themes: "development" and "environmental issues"
(both physical and social).
Both the WHO policy framework and the UN International Plan of Action provide guidance. Ultimately it is up to countries to develop the policies, establish benchmarks and indicators and monitor progress. This can only be achieved through intersectoral partnerships, dialogue and dissemination of information. It is in this context that the launching of the Middle East Journal of Age and Ageing is to be commended. In common with most of these regions, the Middle East is ageing. However, its countries can still benefit from the population dividend as fertility rates decline and the proportion of older people gradually increases. Rich cultural traditions and societal values - with a strong emphasis on family life and reverence to older persons - provide a positive context in which to build strong policies. However, commitment, determination and expertise are the facilitating factors without which quality of life of ever increasing cohorts of older people will be in jeopardy. The time to act is now: the countries in the regions cannot afford a time where ageing will be no longer an opportunity - but a societal crises.
July
2004
Volume
1,
Issue 1
Table
of Contents
Home
From
the Editor: Geriatrics in the Middle East
Meet
the team
Determinants
of prescribing for the elderly in primary health care
Aging
mechanisms: from genetics to daily functioning
The use
of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in a hypertension clinic
A study
on physical, social and mental problems of the elderly in District 13
of Tehran
Epidemiology
of Self-Dependence among Kuwaiti Elderly Population of Abdullah Al-Salem
Area
Active
Aging: the whole society benefits
Clinical
quiz - Palliative Care