Liao Xinbo, deputy director of the
Guangdong Provincial Health Bureau,
discusses the challenges of
implementing the health care reform
as China faces a rapidly aging population.
Translated from the original Chinese
by Yu Chenxi.
SHANGHAI, China / Interfax-China / June 3, 2009
The government needs to take into account China's aging population when implementing the health care reform.
China has faced issues relating to its aging population since 1999. As the country with the largest population in the world, China will no doubt also have the largest population of elderly residents. Despite its rapid economic growth, China has not yet established an all-rounded health care system along with a comprehensive social insurance system.
In western countries, the aging population issue arises as a result of falling birth rates influenced by the rising costs of raising a child, compounded by the fact that improved health care and pension systems diminish the traditional mindset that children are regarded as a form of old age security. At the same time, average life expectancy has increased.
However, in China, the aging population has come about following the implementation of the family planning policy instead of improved living standards. As a result, China faces a rapidly growing aging population living on a low income.
The corresponding medical expenses incurred by the aged are posing a substantial challenge to China's current pension system. Studies have shown that the medical expenses of the elderly stand at about three to five times that of adults and youth. With an aging population, China is witnessing an increase in illness rates, particularly in chronic diseases.
If we compare the results of the National Health Service Survey conducted in 1998 and 2003, we see an upward trend in the frequency of the elderly falling ill within a two-week observation period, especially in rural areas. Cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes are some of the most common illnesses among the elderly.
Therefore, the government should adjust the structure of existing medical and public health service resources and optimize the allocation of health resources as soon as possible in order to provide medical and public health services that target diseases common to the elderly as well as strengthen disease control and prevention.
Another feature of China's aging population is that it appears to be less prevalent in developed regions even though cities typically see lower birth rates as compared with rural areas. This is because China continues to witness widespread migration from rural to urban areas, which in turn skews the actual aging situation in cities. Meanwhile, the relocation of China's younger residents to urban regions in view of better job opportunities is resulting in different medical care needs in cities.
But overall, China's growing population will further fuel demand for medical and health care services, which at the same time calls for the regional reallocation of medical resources.
© 1991 – 2009 Interfax Information Services
June 3, 2009
CHINA: Aging population poses challenges for health care reform
.
Liao Xinbo, deputy director of the
Guangdong Provincial Health Bureau,
discusses the challenges of
implementing the health care reform
as China faces a rapidly aging population.
Translated from the original Chinese
by Yu Chenxi.
SHANGHAI, China / Interfax-China / June 3, 2009
The government needs to take into account China's aging population when implementing the health care reform.
China has faced issues relating to its aging population since 1999. As the country with the largest population in the world, China will no doubt also have the largest population of elderly residents. Despite its rapid economic growth, China has not yet established an all-rounded health care system along with a comprehensive social insurance system.
In western countries, the aging population issue arises as a result of falling birth rates influenced by the rising costs of raising a child, compounded by the fact that improved health care and pension systems diminish the traditional mindset that children are regarded as a form of old age security. At the same time, average life expectancy has increased.
However, in China, the aging population has come about following the implementation of the family planning policy instead of improved living standards. As a result, China faces a rapidly growing aging population living on a low income.
The corresponding medical expenses incurred by the aged are posing a substantial challenge to China's current pension system. Studies have shown that the medical expenses of the elderly stand at about three to five times that of adults and youth. With an aging population, China is witnessing an increase in illness rates, particularly in chronic diseases.
If we compare the results of the National Health Service Survey conducted in 1998 and 2003, we see an upward trend in the frequency of the elderly falling ill within a two-week observation period, especially in rural areas. Cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes are some of the most common illnesses among the elderly.
Therefore, the government should adjust the structure of existing medical and public health service resources and optimize the allocation of health resources as soon as possible in order to provide medical and public health services that target diseases common to the elderly as well as strengthen disease control and prevention.
Another feature of China's aging population is that it appears to be less prevalent in developed regions even though cities typically see lower birth rates as compared with rural areas. This is because China continues to witness widespread migration from rural to urban areas, which in turn skews the actual aging situation in cities. Meanwhile, the relocation of China's younger residents to urban regions in view of better job opportunities is resulting in different medical care needs in cities.
But overall, China's growing population will further fuel demand for medical and health care services, which at the same time calls for the regional reallocation of medical resources.
© 1991 – 2009 Interfax Information Services
Liao Xinbo, deputy director of the
Guangdong Provincial Health Bureau,
discusses the challenges of
implementing the health care reform
as China faces a rapidly aging population.
Translated from the original Chinese
by Yu Chenxi.
SHANGHAI, China / Interfax-China / June 3, 2009
The government needs to take into account China's aging population when implementing the health care reform.
China has faced issues relating to its aging population since 1999. As the country with the largest population in the world, China will no doubt also have the largest population of elderly residents. Despite its rapid economic growth, China has not yet established an all-rounded health care system along with a comprehensive social insurance system.
In western countries, the aging population issue arises as a result of falling birth rates influenced by the rising costs of raising a child, compounded by the fact that improved health care and pension systems diminish the traditional mindset that children are regarded as a form of old age security. At the same time, average life expectancy has increased.
However, in China, the aging population has come about following the implementation of the family planning policy instead of improved living standards. As a result, China faces a rapidly growing aging population living on a low income.
The corresponding medical expenses incurred by the aged are posing a substantial challenge to China's current pension system. Studies have shown that the medical expenses of the elderly stand at about three to five times that of adults and youth. With an aging population, China is witnessing an increase in illness rates, particularly in chronic diseases.
If we compare the results of the National Health Service Survey conducted in 1998 and 2003, we see an upward trend in the frequency of the elderly falling ill within a two-week observation period, especially in rural areas. Cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes are some of the most common illnesses among the elderly.
Therefore, the government should adjust the structure of existing medical and public health service resources and optimize the allocation of health resources as soon as possible in order to provide medical and public health services that target diseases common to the elderly as well as strengthen disease control and prevention.
Another feature of China's aging population is that it appears to be less prevalent in developed regions even though cities typically see lower birth rates as compared with rural areas. This is because China continues to witness widespread migration from rural to urban areas, which in turn skews the actual aging situation in cities. Meanwhile, the relocation of China's younger residents to urban regions in view of better job opportunities is resulting in different medical care needs in cities.
But overall, China's growing population will further fuel demand for medical and health care services, which at the same time calls for the regional reallocation of medical resources.
© 1991 – 2009 Interfax Information Services
