What are the main risk factors for disability in old age and how can disability be prevented?
Loading...
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe
Abstract
Description
17 p.
In the next 20 years, the European Union will gain 17 million people over age 65 – a 30% increase – and 5.5 million more people over age 80, a 39% increase. Disability in old age is frequent and not only lowers the quality of life of its victims, but strains society’s limited resources for assistance, care and rehabilitation. Prevention of disability in old age is therefore a matter of great humanitarian and economic concern. This report is Health Evidence Network’s (HEN’s) response to a question from a decision-maker. It provides a synthesis of the best available evidence, including a summary of the main findings and policy options related to the issue. HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN.
In the next 20 years, the European Union will gain 17 million people over age 65 – a 30% increase – and 5.5 million more people over age 80, a 39% increase. Disability in old age is frequent and not only lowers the quality of life of its victims, but strains society’s limited resources for assistance, care and rehabilitation. Prevention of disability in old age is therefore a matter of great humanitarian and economic concern. This report is Health Evidence Network’s (HEN’s) response to a question from a decision-maker. It provides a synthesis of the best available evidence, including a summary of the main findings and policy options related to the issue. HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN.