Aging in China: perspectives on public health

Abstract

In line with the worldwide trend in population aging, China has stepped into an aging society since 2000. The outstanding features of aging, including a large proportion of the older population, rapid growth, dramatic expansion of the oldest-old, and uneven aging distribution, have put China in a unique position. Besides, older population is expanding in parallel with the escalating burden of disease, high prevalence of disability, and low social involvement. However, China is not prepared to solve these problems in terms of the economy, awareness, geriatric care system, geriatric team, social security, or age-friendly environment. From the perspective of public health, we summarized the major challenges and proposed the following policy recommendations: (1) strengthening the top-level design and building a “government-leading, multi-sectoral-cooperating, and society-participating” pattern; (2) enhancing health services by implementing the “comprehensive health” strategy; (3) developing home and community care, coordinately enhance institutional care, promote integration of medical and care systems, and establish a multidimensional tailored care system; (4) optimizing geriatric the supporting system, included the construction of geriatric team and the long-term care insurance system; and (5) establishing a physical and socially age-friendly environment.

Keywords

• Aging
• China
• Elderly
• Public health
• Health status
• Geriatric care