The Economist (Intelligence Unit) - A New Vision for Old Age (2012.pdf

(4168 KB) Pobierz
A new vision for old age
Rethinking health policy for Europe’s
ageing society
A report from the Economist Intelligence Unit
Supported by
979447680.013.png 979447680.014.png
A new vision for old age
Rethinking health policy for Europe’s ageing society
Preface
A new vision for old age: Rethinking health policy for Europe’s ageing society is an Economist
Intelligence Unit report, supported by Pizer. The Economist Intelligence Unit exercised full
editorial control over the content of this report, and the indings expressed within do not necessarily
relect the views of Pizer.
Our research drew on two main initiatives:
l In 2011 we surveyed 1,113 healthcare professionals in several European countries, including the UK,
Germany, France, Spain and Italy, as well as the Netherlands and countries in Scandinavia and Eastern
Europe. Most of the respondents (741) are frontline healthcare staff, including doctors and nurses, and
others are in policy/strategy; administration; research and development (R&D); manufacturing; or at
non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
l To supplement the survey results and to help to explain their implications, we also conducted in-
depth interviews with numerous leading igures in the healthcare sector, including policymakers.
As well as this report, the indings and other issues central to the theme are discussed in a series of case
studies, published separately, focusing in more detail on some of the key issues highlighted in
the report.
The report and case studies were written by Andrea Chipman and Paul Kielstra, and Iain Scott and
Chris Webber were the editors. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey, and
all the interviewees, for their time and insights.
1
© The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2012
979447680.015.png 979447680.016.png
A new vision for old age
Rethinking health policy for Europe’s ageing society
Interviewees
The following individuals were interviewed for this report and the case studies.
l Aitor Perez Artetxe, director, Gerokon Consultancy, Bilbao, Spain
l Dr John Beard, director, Department of Ageing and Life Course, World Health Organisation, Geneva,
Switzerland
l Professor Axel Börsch-Supan, director, Mannheim Research Institute for the Economics of Ageing,
Mannheim, Germany
l Erik Buskens, professor of medical technology assessment, University Medical Center, Groningen,
the Netherlands
l Dr Charles Eugster, oarsman and bodybuilder
l Dr Ruth Finkelstein, vice-president for health policy at the New York Academy of Medicine and head
of the NYC Global Age-Friendly Cities Project, US
l Elsa Fornero, professor of political economic policy at the University of Torino and director of the
Centre for Research on Pension and Welfare Policies in Moncalieri, Italy
l Mark Gettinby, general manager for group product development, Age UK
l Jean-Claude Henrard, emeritus professor of public health, University of Versailles, Paris, France
l Dr Bernard Jeune, epidemiologist, Ageing Research Center, University of Southern Denmark,
Odense, Denmark
l Professor Thomas Kirkwood, director of the Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, UK
l Paul Knight, professor of medicine, Glasgow University, immediate past president, European Union
Geriatric Medicine Society and president-elect, British Geriatrics Society, UK
l Kevin Lavery, founder, Involve Millennium, UK
l Dr Gunnar Ljunggren, head, Centre for Gerontology and Health Economics, Stockholm county,
Sweden
l Professor David Oliver, national clinical director for older people, England
l Professor Desmond O’Neill, president, European Union Geriatric Medicine Society, Ireland
l Anne-Sophie Parent, secretary-general, AGE Platform Europe, Brussels, Belgium
l Dr Jean-Marie Robine, research director, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research,
Montpellier, France
2
© The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2012
979447680.001.png 979447680.002.png
A new vision for old age
Rethinking health policy for Europe’s ageing society
l Eva Topinková, professor of medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
l Alan Walker, professor of social policy and social gerontology, University of Shefield, UK
l Mark Wickens, founder, Brandhouse, UK
l Peter Wintlev-Jensen, deputy head of unit for E-inclusion, EU Commission Directorate-General
Information Society, Belgium
l Dr Antoni Zwiefka, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences,
Wroclaw, Poland
3
© The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2012
979447680.003.png 979447680.004.png
A new vision for old age
Rethinking health policy for Europe’s ageing society
Executive summary
T he good news is that, in a little over half a century, the average life expectancy in Europe has risen
from 66 to 75, and by 2050 is predicted to reach 82. This is not simply because people are not
dying young, but because they are living to older ages than ever: the over-85s are the fastest growing
demographic group on the continent.
But for many, the good news is also bad news, because in many respects—notably pensions, social
care and health provision—European societies are not prepared for this demographic shift. Lower
fertility rates mean that the working-age population is not keeping pace with the number of pensioners.
With regard to healthcare, while most respondents in a survey of more than 1,000 European medical
professionals conducted for this study say that their national medical systems are adequately prepared
to meet the age-related challenges of the next ive years, the longer term is more worrying: 80%
say that they are concerned about how they will be treated when they are old, and only 40% say that
government policies to address ageing are comprehensive and realistic.
Do you agree or disagree with the following?
(% respondents)
Agree
Disagree
Don't know/ Not applicable
Given the current standard of care of older
patients, I am concerned about how I will
be treated by the healthcare system when
I am older.
Older patients in my country’s healthcare
system are less likely to have their
complaints given full attention than
younger ones.
Population ageing is regarded
as a threat to the viability of
my country’s healthcare system.
3
7
15
17
49
51
42
35
80
This Economist Intelligence Unit study, supported by Pizer, is based on that survey and backed by
in-depth interviews with 22 healthcare experts and practitioners. It looks at the leading challenges
presented by the ageing of societies—and the opportunities—and some of the steps countries will
need to take in response. It revolves speciically around healthcare, but because it is unhelpful, if not
impossible, to regard healthcare systems in isolation (“Every minister is a health minister,” as World
Health Organization director-general Dr Margaret Chan points out), this report also seeks to address the
broader, relevant ageing-related issues that will also have an impact on health. Its key indings include:
Everyone needs to take prevention seriously. An increasing body of evidence shows that ageing is
not directly correlated with healthcare costs. Age is, however, a leading risk factor in a host of chronic
diseases. An older population will therefore likely have a higher prevalence not only of individual
chronic conditions, but of people with more than one such disease. A crucial step towards reducing the
future disease load, and therefore the impact of ageing, is a greater focus on getting people to make
4
© The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2012
979447680.005.png 979447680.006.png 979447680.007.png 979447680.008.png 979447680.009.png 979447680.010.png 979447680.011.png 979447680.012.png

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika:

Zgłoś jeśli naruszono regulamin