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Population aging is not just an industrialized country’s problem.
Even developing nations are experiencing the same phenomenon. In fact,
this is even compounded by rapid growth in all population cohorts that the
geriatric issue takes a back seat. Especially in a debt-ridden country,
it is better to spend money producing a healthy workforce than to take
care of generally non-productive old people.
This is an alarming wake-up call since developing countries have not
much of clear health programs for the aging than they have a general
public health program for the entire population. As a result, their
people suffers from a lack of preventive medicine approach to illnesses
that will be unfairly felt by these same people in their later years.
One such dearly needed program is in the field of public health
ophthalmology. Although, a program like this will not necessarily save a
lot of eyesight overnight, this can always be supported by medical
associations, public health leaders and even by the state. Also, since the
price of medicine is on the rise in developing countries, the use of
herbal and other forms of traditional medicine should be encouraged. The
more people are involved in this, the more awareness this will create to
lighten the plight of aging people.
While it is true than nations are experiencing population aging, it
need not be a necessary burden among their elders.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
20 December 2002
Orlino T Palacpac Jr
Health Economist & Graduate School of Management Faculty
Pamantasan Ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila), Manila, Philippines
Population aging not limited to industrialized nations
Population aging is not just an industrialized country’s problem.
Even developing nations are experiencing the same phenomenon. In fact,
this is even compounded by rapid growth in all population cohorts that the
geriatric issue takes a back seat. Especially in a debt-ridden country,
it is better to spend money producing a healthy workforce than to take
care of generally non-productive old people.
This is an alarming wake-up call since developing countries have not
much of clear health programs for the aging than they have a general
public health program for the entire population. As a result, their
people suffers from a lack of preventive medicine approach to illnesses
that will be unfairly felt by these same people in their later years.
One such dearly needed program is in the field of public health
ophthalmology. Although, a program like this will not necessarily save a
lot of eyesight overnight, this can always be supported by medical
associations, public health leaders and even by the state. Also, since the
price of medicine is on the rise in developing countries, the use of
herbal and other forms of traditional medicine should be encouraged. The
more people are involved in this, the more awareness this will create to
lighten the plight of aging people.
While it is true than nations are experiencing population aging, it
need not be a necessary burden among their elders.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests