The Decade of Health in Aging is an initiative sponsored by a coalition of organizations with an interest in aging and health policy and led by the American Geriatrics Society and its related Foundation for Health in Aging. The Coalition is working to secure a White House proclamation to officially designate the first decade of the 21st Century and the new millennium the Decade of Health in Aging to study the impact of an aging population on health, the economy, and the overall future of the country.

Why is this proclamation needed?

Dedicating the first decade of the 21st Century to understanding and addressing the impact of an aging population is critical because the rate of aging in the United States will increase dramatically in the second and subsequent decades of the century. Within the United States, the size of the population over age 65 has soared during this century, increasing from 3 million in 1900 to 34.3 million today. Since 1940, the population of people over 65 has tripled and is projected to more than double again by 2050.

Why is the rapid aging of the population a problem?

Forecasts show that policy makers must address the impact of our aging population in the next decade to stay ahead of the demand on resources required by a population with an increasing median age. Current projections and policies would force the United States government to increase its national debt from just over 40 percent of the gross domestic product to 70 percent by the middle of the 21st Century to meet these demands.

Can't this aging trend be easily fixed by changing the amount of support from those under 65?

Global fertility rates have dropped by 50 percent from 5.6 children per woman in 1972. In fact, in 61 countries accounting for 44 percent of the Earth's population–including the U.S.–fertility rates are lower than what is needed to replace the population. In the United States, fertility rates have dropped from 3.6 children per woman in 1960 to 2.0 today.

Increases in the public debt would result largely from high health costs associated with the care of those over 65 and proportionally fewer taxpayers under 65 replenishing government revenues. People over 65 comprised 13 percent of the U.S. population in 1995, but accounted for 40 percent of all hospital discharges and 49 percent of all days of care. Though average length of hospital stays has decreased for those over 65, their visits to physicians are over twice as frequent as those under 65. With increases in age, the intensity of using health care resources increases: Those over 75, though only 5.5 percent of the total population in 1993, accounted for 28 percent of all hospital days. At the same time, the caregiver population comprised of both the elderly and non-elderly will be impacted by these changes.

What must be done to address the adverse effects of an aging population?

Several important steps must be taken: The public must become better educated concerning the needs of this population as caregiving responsibilities often fall to families and friends. Current and new health professionals must be educated regarding the special needs of this population. Older persons have unique characteristics that differentiate them from younger populations, such as higher levels of adverse drug reactions and urinary incontinence. Thus, special training is needed to treat the frail, elderly population. The aging of the U.S. population demands continued and expanded research efforts into chronic diseases that affect the frail elderly and their families. Developments such as the agreement by Congress to increase National Institutes on Health research funding by 15 percent in 1999 must be advocated for and continued.

Who supports the Decade of Health in Aging?

The concept was conceived by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), the leading clinical society devoted to the care of older adults. Recently, the American Geriatrics Society reached beyond its traditional role as a professional medical society to establish The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA). Because of its leadership role in advocating on behalf of older adults, the Foundation is in a prime position to lead the coalition on this proclamation. Other organizations supporting the proclamation include-

• Alliance for Aging Research
• Alzheimer's Association
• American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
• American Federation of State County Municipal Employees - Retiree Program
• American Geriatrics Society
• American Society on Aging
• Association for Gerontology & Human Development in Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• National Academy Elder Law Attorneys
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• National Chronic Care Consortium
• National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare
• National Council on the Aging
• National Osteoporosis Foundation
• National Senior Games Association
• The Gerontological Society of America

How can I support the proclamation of the Decade of Health in Aging?

The Coalition will be asking President Bush to declare 2000-2010 the Decade of Health in Aging. The Coalition would like Members of Congress to join in support of this proclamation. The Coalition will also be working to get grassroots support from the public in support of this initiative.