Population and dynamics of aging is attracting the attention of regional researchers. In this issue two papers from Bangladesh discussed this issue. The first paper attempts to estimate some mortality measures such as age specific death rates (ASDRs), infant mortality rate (IMR) and crude death rate (CDR) in Bangladesh in 2006. The author used two abridged life tables for males and for females and they have been constructed using the corresponding secondary data on life expectancy at birth of Bangladesh in 2006 taken from UN (2006). He built a mathematical model fitted to the number of persons surviving at an exact age x (lx) for males and for females. In the second paper the author stressed the rapid increase in the elderly population in Bangladesh. It is essential for society and the government to realize that the aged population needs not to be regarded as 'demographic refuse' and given a congenial atmosphere, they can still contribute to the family and community combining old values and new expectations.

A paper from Jordan discussed the causes of impaired vision in south of Jordan.
The author included 900 Jordanian patients with a mean age of 64 years. Visual impairment was determined using presenting and best-corrected visual acuity. The causes of visual impairment were cataract (43.0%), macular degeneration (18.0%), and amblyopia (10.0%). The author concluded that most causes of blindness in Jordan can be controlled by various educational and medical programmes. A prospective study from Iran looked at the hip bone mineral density of 100 patients (50 men, 50 women) and 100 control individuals (50 men, 50 women) between 50-90 years old measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This study showed that bone mineral density in the patients group was 0.6333 gr/cm2 versus 0.7589 gr/cm2 in the control group. The authors concluded that every person whose bone density is below 0.6333 gr/cm2 is prone to hip fracture.

Aydin S et Gemalmaz A looked at the knowledge of residents about patients' rights, informed consent, and euthanasia. The authors followed a cross-sectional study, an anonymous, volunteer-based, structured questionnaire consisting of 31 open- and closed-ended questions about socio-demographic features, thoughts and knowledge level of residents on patients' rights, informed consent, and euthanasia which was applied to the residents of a university hospital. The mean knowledge score was 7.2±1.9, and obtaining 9 points or more was considered to be "sufficient". Of the total, only 23.9% was determined as having sufficient knowledge about patients' rights, informed consent, and euthanasia and 52.3% declared that they needed education about these subjects. The authors stressed that the knowledge level and awareness of residents about patient rights, euthanasia, and informed consent was insufficient. These issues should be included in the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education curriculum.

Pourreza A, examines health care expenditure trends for developed countries and the impact of changing demographics on health expenditure. The influential factors on the growth of ageing, policies and policymakers' responsibilities in this respect, is analyzed. An attempt was made to discuss and analyze ageing and escalating costs of long-term care of elderly in the context of social problems. The author stressed that there is a need to reassess our views towards ageing, elderly's health, and their roles and functions in family and community.