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Health Issues around the World

- Archives 2006 -




Articles in Arabic | Chinese | French | Russian | Spanish

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 US Health Issues

Africa
 

South Africa: How Older Women in South Africa Make Sense of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (December 2006)
This study shows how older women in rural South Africa deal with HIV/AIDS. Although most have access to Western information of HIV/AIDS, they still explain the origins of the disease with a local interpretation. They blame certain social groups or some sexual behaviors. This report makes clear that an effective HIV/AIDS education program must take into account local interpretations of the disease as well as other “scientific” explanations.

Zimbabwe: Forced to Work (November 30, 2006)
In the very poor district of Guruve, Zimbabwe that is severely affected by HIV AIDS, older people are forced to work in order to pay for the costs of their frail grandchildren orphaned by the pandemic. Despite their old age and disabilities, some older persons have to work very hard as farmers. If the Zimbabwean government and the international community persist in doing nothing, the situation of the older persons is going to be unsustainable.

Cameroon: Older People’s Troubles (September 13, 2006)
(Article in French)
The Bethanie VIACAM (Abandoned Disabled Old People from Cameroon) Community clinic shows why getting medical attention is important. Securing water and available medicines are daily challenges for older Cameroonians. With the exception of eight beds in Yaoundé, there is no geriatrics department in the national hospitals; yet the “protection of the older persons” is written into the preamble of the Constitution and a special office has just been created by the Secretary of Social Affairs. Will the situation change?

Burkina-Faso: General Assembly of Older Persons in AIFA, the International Association of French-speaking Elderly:  Poverty Cuts Short Many Plans to Assist Older Persons (September 8, 2006)
(Article in French)
The national Burkina-Faso group of the International Association of French-speaking Elderly (AIFA) gathered in advance of its international conference, which will take place in Paris on November 8-10, 2006. The Burkina-Faso group decided to focus on health issues, one of the main challenges facing older persons.  Despite its lack of financial resources, the group managed to partner with a Quebec hospital.  Following the Conference, AIFA wants to create a hospital complex.

Senegal: Improvement of Medical Coverage, the “Sesame Plan” for Older People (August 28, 2006)
(Article in French)
President Wade has just made a progressive decision about the scope of his national health plan. Its goal focuses on caring for the most vulnerable persons in the population. Most of the old people in Senegal, who are not affiliated to the national retirement fund, will be able to get access to the public health facilities. Beginning in September, if the plan’s implementation is not delayed, people who are more than 60 years old will be allowed to go to hospitals and receive free treatments and medicines.

Nigeria: Life Expectancy in Nigeria (August 14, 2006)
Studies all around the world indicate that it is inherent in all human beings to be able to live to about 100 years. This is true for any nationality on this planet: Americans, Russians, Japanese or Nigerians. To help its people to celebrate their 100’s birthdays, the President of Nigeria intends to implement tested measures to increase the longevity of Nigerians, such as improved standards of hygiene, sanitary engineering, better nutrition, safe drinking water, and steps to prevent infectious diseases. 

Kenya: Fund Launches Low Cost Medical Plan (June 6, 2006)
By drastically reducing premiums, the National Hospital Insurance Fund offers affordable healthcare that specifically addresses the needs of retired people. Moreover, the Fund works with approximately 380 hospitals around the country, providing different levels of care over a broad area.

Zanzibar: Zanzibar Calls off Free Health Care Services (June 4, 2006)
The health service in Zanzibar is not free anymore. For example, a person now has to pay 0.4 US dollars to get admitted to a hospital or clinic. The World Health Organization worries that many people will not be able to afford medical help anymore and fears that this will lead to the spread of tuberculosis, leprosy and other communicable diseases.

Ghana: Ghana's Health: 12 Million Outpatients/Year (May 15, 2006)
A recent study conducted by Ghana’s Ministry of Health “on who gets what type of illness, where and when, reveals that the poor, the uneducated, infants and the elderly carry a greater burden of these diseases than the well-to-do, the educated, older children and able-bodied person.” This study collected data from health institutions, leaving out people who do not attend these facilities, implying that the health situation in Ghana is worse than what official statistics show.

South Africa: Elderly Take Up the Aids Challenge in Amathole (May 2, 2006)
Groups of concerned grandparents are gathering in Amathole, in the Eastern Cape, to hear about HIV/AIDS, learn how to talk with their grandchildren, and identify community resources for those with HIV/AIDS. The program, run by the Community Information, Empowerment and Transparency (CIET) Trust, attempts to bridge the generational gap. Councillor Helen Neal-May, who helped start this workshop, said, “Elders are often left out of HIV and AIDS programmes because they are seen as sexually inactive and at low risk, and yet they can be a moral yardstick for younger people, and so an essential part of the solutions we seek.” Giving grandparents knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the confidence to speak will enable them to educate the younger generation.

Zimbabwe: Rural Zimbabweans Hit By Health Crisis (April 21, 2006)
President Mugabe’s land reform program is taking a disastrous toll on the health of rural Zimbabweans and local farm workers. The government currently resettles rural families onto commercial farms, displacing farmers from their homes. The farms are without clean water, electricity, and local health facilities. According to the Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe (FCTZ), “…nine out of ten farm workers had to walk more than 20 km [12.4 miles] to get to the nearest clinic, contrary to government policy that no one should have to travel more than 8 km [5 miles].” In addition, rural farm communities are the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. Older persons’ needs must be addressed in community development programs considering many elders care for AIDS orphans and most cannot walk twelve miles to receive health care.

Zimbabwe: Zimbabweans Have 'Shortest Lives' (April 8, 2006)
Old age is relative depending on where you are in the world. For example, on average, Japanese live 45-48 years longer than Zimbabweans. Women in Zimbabwe have the shortest life expectancy in the world (34 years), which is two years less than last year. Although HIV/AIDS is one explanation for such short lives, some say Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and low standard of living are also to blame.

Ethiopia: Preventable Disease Blinds Poor in Third World (March 31, 2006)
Trachoma is “both a disease of poverty and a disease that causes poverty.” Repeated eye infections cause the eyelids to retract and eyelashes to turn in on a person’s eyes. The scratching and irritation can result in blindness. Older persons with trachoma, especially women who are three times more likely to go blind from infections, find themselves especially vulnerable. Husbands sometimes abandon older women who reach advanced stages of trachoma when their blindness prevents them from working to support their family. Trachoma can be prevented through simple sanitation and hygiene measures such as latrines, hand washing, face washing and antibiotics – all relatively inexpensive but still considered luxuries in poor, trachoma endemic countries.

Namibia: The Plight of Grandparents as Caretakers (March 22, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
The HIV/AIDS pandemic affects all family members, especially children and older adults. In Namibia, mostly in rural areas, grandparents take responsibility for their orphaned grandchildren. A 2004 UN study shows that grandparents, particularly grandmothers, care for 75% of the 156,000 orphans in rural Namibia. The government provides subsidies and small pensions to grandparents; however, older persons in rural areas are isolated and do not have easy access to social and economic support. The international community and local governments are slowly recognizing the key role that grandparents take in looking after HIV/AIDS orphans. Still, significant effort needs to be made to acknowledge and incorporate grandparents and older persons, in general, into development projects. 

Namibia: AIDS Programmes Forgetting Elderly Caregivers (March 22, 2006)
Current HIV/AIDS policies and awareness programs in Namibia sideline older people because of their age. The government plans to create specialized programs for the elderly as a recent report shows that older persons provide “most of the care for orphans under the age of 18 in rural areas.”

Lesotho: Slowly, Africa Starts to Care for AIDS Children (March 8, 2006)
HIV/AIDS continues to kill off working class adults throughout Africa, while children and grandparents are left behind. Many of the children are HIV positive like their parents. Grandparents play an important role as attention turns towards treating HIV positive children who are left behind. Not only do grandparents assume a caregiving role, but they also take on financial responsibility to support their grandchildren. In one example, a half-blind grandmother sells homemade brooms to pay for her grandson's bus fare to the clinic. 

Egypt: Glass Painting Ameliorates the Psychological Condition of Elderly Women (February 6, 2006)
(Article in Arabic)
A study by the fine arts faculty showed that artistic activities such as  drawing , painting , glass painting, arranging flowers and making picture frames helps improve the psychological condition of elderly women.

Uganda: Double Tragedy for Granny (January 25, 2006)
As AIDS takes a toll on her family, Norah Nassolo Nakayima wonders how she can take care of her 21 grandchildren. She has lost her husband, two children, her son's three wives, and five grandchildren to AIDS, all of whom were significant breadwinners for the family. The AIDS pandemic is placing high expectations on the elderly to provide for medical care, food, water, and school costs. As the number of elderly increase in Uganda HelpAge International, Uganda Reach the Aged Association, and Bwaise Disabled and Elderly Association are all trying to address the needs of the elderly and incorporate all ages into prevention programs.

Zambia: We Share Lillian Njobvu's Concerns (January 19, 2006)
The Constitution Review Commission in Zambia is drafting a new constitution. In this draft, Article 43 says that "older members of society are entitled to enjoy all the rights and freedoms set out in this Bill of Rights, including the right to - participate fully in the affair of society; pursue their personal development and retain their autonomy; freedom from all forms of discrimination, exploitation or abuse; live in dignity and respect; and receive care and assistance from the family and the government. Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for a sustainable social security system for the older members of society." This recommendation to the constitution is a major step in addressing issues facing the elderly in Zambia. Overall, this editorial from Zambia's The Post promotes intergenerational interdependence and a new vision of aging. (See additional article referencing Lillian Njobvu below.)

Namibia: Health Challenges for 2006 (January 18, 2006)
At the start of a new year, Namibia faces some challenging health issues. Concerns about the aging population and creating a forward-looking health system are among the central issues. Petrina Haingura, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services in Namibia, says that they "have put down the foundations in support for various families, guaranteed nursing education for all, delivered personal care services for both young and old, [and] created more warm household environments than ever before." She will have to get community involvement and feedback from the community to move forward. The future looks promising as Namibia takes steps to address its health problems.

Zimbabwe: Health Care Costs Shoot Up 110 Percent (January 6, 2006)
A "new round of increases in [health care] charges by between 80 percent and 110 percent will make medical services unaffordable to the poor" in Zimbabwe. Inflation, income adjustments for medical providers, and the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar have dictated these large increases. Currently, 1 US dollar is equivalent to roughly 100,000 Zimbabwe dollars. As many workers earn two million Zimbabwe dollars (twenty US dollars) some families spend up to 30% of their salary on health care. Many Zimbabwean elderly cannot afford health care and decide to die at home or seek alternative medicine and healers.

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Americas & Caribbean 

Argentina: Vitamin E Does Not Help with Memory (December 18, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
A 10-year study concludes that Vitamin E does not improve memory among   older persons.  An increase in a specific oxidant has a negative effect on the cells, which then affects the memory. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights against this kind of oxidant, which led scientists to think that Vitamin E might be a solution to memory deterioration. The scientists involved in the study divided more than 6,000 women over the age of 65 into two groups—one receiving Vitamin E treatment and the other a placebo. The results between these groups did not show any difference. Scientists are investigating other benefits Vitamin E may have on elderly people.

Honduras: When Will You Become Old? (December 8, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Many people fear reaching the elderly stage of life for a variety of reasons. Some do not want to have wrinkles. Others do not want society to consider them useless. A doctor, Mario Armando Valladeres, states that people officially start entering the elderly stage at the age of 40, when women enter the menopausal phase and men enter the andropausal phase. Even though people do not consider becoming old a blessing. It is a stage not everyone reaches. Therefore, attaining old age should be considered a blessing.

Dominican Republic: Cats Also Suffer Alzheimer’s Disease (December 7, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
According to British and US research, cats develop Alzheimer’s disease the same way humans do. This groundbreaking discovery holds great interest for researchers because a cat’s lifespan is much shorter than humans. It will be easier to study a cat’s diet, environment, and lifestyle from birth to death in hopes of finding clues to the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists also hope that researching the disease in cats would identify a cure or preventative measures for humans.

Dominican Republic: What to Eat to Slow Down Aging Process
(December 8, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
“Good eating habits never get old” is important advice for everyone. However, this is hard advice for elderly people to follow. Older people have bad eating habits for a number of reasons. Physical inability is sometimes responsible – such as they live alone and lack of mobility to go to food stores or to buy food or prepare meals at home. Also, their sense of smell and taste diminish over time, which makes eating unappetizing. Psychological issues like depression intervene as well. When people are depressed, they lose their desire to eat. Common among elderly people, refusing to eat is dangerous for those in fragile health. They really need to have a regular eating habit to remain healthy. This article explains the mechanism behind these issues and gives advice on how to overcome the problem.

Costa Rica: In the Future, Laboratories May Create a Type of Meat for Each Age Category (December 4, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
In a new development, scientists have learned how to modify meat. This will have several advantages. First, people can secure custom-made nutrition that meets their specific needs. Elderly people, for example, would eat meat that is custom-made for them, therefore reducing unnecessary health risks that are caused by nutrients they don’t need. Additionally, since the meat will be produced in laboratories, there will be less risk of contamination caused by animal feces. In a few decades, mass-production of laboratory meat will mean that meat will be more accessible to poor countries.

Chile: Practical Guide: Assisting Services Offered to the Elderly (November 6, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
“Hello! Miss Marta, it is time for your medication,” is what Marta receives everyday over the phone, just a few minutes before her medication. She gets this reminder from her municipal government. Other benefits include books for the elderly, organizing medical phonebooks, overnight medicine purchases, and more. These services benefit more than 150,000 elderly people in Chile.

Chile: Most Youths and Adults Say They Will Take Care of Their Older Parents (October 30, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
A survey on youths and adults under 55 years old indicates they, despite their value on personal freedom and desire to keep it, recognize their responsibility of providing support and care for older persons. Ironically, older persons do not like to depend on their children and strive to stay as independent as possible, but they do value support they receive from their children. Older persons often seek and receive support from their peers. This article explores the Chilean value and culture of taking care of the elderly that is not commonly found in the United States or in the European Union.

Colombia: Vote for Herpes Vaccination (October 29, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
An advisory committee in Colombia passed a vote to give older persons a vaccination against the herpes virus. This is especially important for older persons, as they generally have a weaker immune system as they age.

Mexico: Tobacco Deal Haunts Contender for WHO Chief (October 24, 2006)
The post for a World Health Organization chief has attracted 13 candidates from countries such as Mexico, Japan, Finland, France and Mozambique. Critics are singling out the mexican contender Dr. Julio Frenk, who made a deal made with cigarette makers. Public health experts claim that this deal undermines Mexico’s efforts to reduce smoking. Anti-smoking groups criticize the Mexican health minister for accepting private donations of $400 million over a 2 ½ year span. While these monies were used to fund health programs, Frenk agreed not to impose any new taxes on cigarettes, which undercut efforts to persuade people not to smoke.

Chile: Relationship among Older Couples: Experience and Liberty over Time Improves Sex Life (October 23, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
When does a sexual life end? Certainly not when you become old! Contrary to popular belief that sex life deteriorates as one gets older, it does not cease to exist. In fact, life in bed gets better over time! This article develops this idea and gives some wonderful advice on how to make the most of it!

Chile: Older People Play for a Healthy Life (October 21, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Almost 600 elderly persons from different regions of Chile gathered to participate in physical activities. This event is part of the celebration of “The Day of Physical Activities for Older Persons.” Older persons participate in different activities from dancing to aerobics and much more!

Peru: 3rd Meeting on Regional Program of Older Adults of Caritas in Latin America and Caribbean (October 16-20, 2006) 
(Article in Spanish)
San Martin de Porras, Peru, hosted the third regional caucus on “Social Work for Latin American and Caribbean Older Adults.” Cáritas Cuba, Chile and Peru, The Foundation for the Well-being of Older Adults of the Archdiocese of Mexico, and The Latin American Gerontology Network took part. They adopted a statement that put the needs of the poorest and excluded older adults at the center of their work Participants called on each government to take responsibility to aid the poorest older people. They urged governmental initiatives to respond to the urgent need for integrated and universal health care, a universal pension and the proper financing for these programs. As for themselves, the participants promised to step up their efforts to assure well being of older persons at both individual and social level. They also will promote active participation of older persons in putting programs into action. 

Colombia: Depression Is Considered a Disease (September 30, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Not all elderly people are depressed. When an elderly person feels depressed, it is not “normal” for his or her age. The Secretary of Health at the Mayor’s Office in Medellín conducted a study to investigate depression among different groups of people. The finding was that 36% of the population above the age of 55 suffers depression, compared to a lower average depression rate of 20% among the population below the age of 55. Psychologists investigated the causes of depression among older persons and possible solutions to help cure their depression, which are disclosed in the article.

Canada: National Study: Patients Poorly Prepared for End-of-life Decisions (September 13, 2006)
A Queen’s University national study revealed that Canadian hospital staffpersons poorly prepare terminally-ill patients to deal with end of life issues. The study charges a lack of patient and physician discussions about the issues. Queen's University professor of Medicine Dr. Heyland who led the study added that if such discussions were to take place “elderly patients are ill-equipped to participate.” Part of a five-year project that began in 2004, the research “focuses on care in hospitals, intensive care units and home settings.” 

PAHO Annual Report Focuses On Closing Health Gaps in Least Protected Populations (September 2006)
The PAHO report examines the continuing inequities in resource allocation and unequal access to services due to present health policies. In addition, the report explores the disparities between rural and urban areas as well as places where poverty is highly concentrated. The study incorporates the situations of disadvantaged groups such as women, children, indigenous populations, young people, and the elderly.

Mexico: At Least 80% of Older Persons in Mexico Have Chronic Illnesses (August 28, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Alzheimer, Parkinson, cardiac problems, diabetes, arthritis, mental problems, and depression are the most common illnesses among Mexican older adults. Around 80% of the elders have a chronic illness. Mexico celebrated the Day of Older Persons on August 28th, 2006. The doctor and geriatrician, Alberto Avila Fuentes, mentioned that poverty and physical abuse cause even more these illnesses development. The alarming statistics show a 3.2% of the older adults suffer blindness; 4% suffer deterioration of teeth. Some 1.2% suffers from urinary problems, and a 3% incur forms of inflammation. This article describes different diseases that affect older adults in Mexico. In addition, the writer makes a conscious request to first level physicians to be more sensitive when diagnosing illnesses that worry the older adults.

Canada: African Grandmothers Rally for AIDS Orphans (August 13, 2006)
“After burying their children, they must take care of the children of their children.”  The Stephen Lewis Foundation sponsored the 16^th International AIDS conference in Canada to help grandmothers cope with the AIDS pandemic.  Stephen Lewis, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, currently serves as Secretary General Kofi Annan’s representative to Africa for AIDS.   About 100 “AIDS grannies” from Africa attended various workshops on how to help orphans cope with the loss of their parents; build resilience in children and grandmothers; and how to avoid infection when cleaning the bleeding wounds of children who may be H.I.V. positive. The AIDS pandemic has created an estimated 12 million orphans in Africa, with the number expected to grow to 18 million by 2010.

Canada: Meal Assistance Programs Improve Nutrition of Older Persons (July 26, 2006)
(Article in Arabic)
Heather Keller, Professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, carried out a study showing that the meal assistance programs help prevent older adults from becoming malnourished. The results of the study made clear that elderly exposed to the risk of malnutrition should be encouraged to participate in meal assistance programs. The study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, showed that participants in the hot meal programs showed improvement, or at least no decline, in their nutrition. 

Canada: Study Links Memory Loss, Estrogen Level (July 26, 2006)
It has long been a concern that women experience memory and concentration problems as they approach and move through menopause. A new Montreal study reports that a reduction of estrogen leads to memory deterioration, and women who take the hormone around their menopause years can decrease those risks. However, many experts believe that other factors such as stress, lack of sleep and hot flashes, are as crucial in causing shortfalls in working memory as hormonal changes during menopause.

Jamaica: Elderly a Valuable Niche Market, Says Eldemire-Shearer (June 18, 2006)
Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, head of the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies, believes that “Jamaicans need to adopt a new approach to caring for the elderly.” As the senior population is growing rapidly, older people play a more important part in the world’s economy. Eldemire-Shearer hopes that business people will soon turn their attention to the older sector and will invest in services creating “greater opportunities for older persons to continue to be active and to contribute to development.”

Jamaica: Senior Citizens Keeping Active, Living Longer (June 18, 2006)
The St. James arm of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) gives significant support to older Jamaicans through its 10 activity centers. One of the main goals of the project aims at keeping the senior citizens active after retirement. The centers organize art and craft activities, dancing classes, educational seminars and trips. The beneficiaries of the project believe that the programs keep them mentally and physically active and results in long life.

Bolivia: Tarijan Towns Will Not Pay for Elderly Health Care (June 6, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
A new law, passed in January 2006, requires each municipal government to finance all of the medical insurance for older persons, relieving the National Treasury (TGN) of the responsibility to cover 60% of the cost. However, through the Municipal Association in the Department of Tarija, the Tarijan towns announced that they reject the transfer of financial responsibility from the TGN. Next move?

Uruguay: Platforms for Future Politics of Old Age: Continuity and (May, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Uruguay gets the model country award for its program planning for aging in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Statistics indicate that Uruguay is home to the largest aged population in Latin America. This study outlines plans for putting the UN’s Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to work in Uruguay. For example, it lays out plans to change the curriculum of medical schools to include more geriatrics, to create centralized medical records, to work more on prevention of diseases, among many other strategies. To sum up, CEPAL (the Economic Center for Latin America) is proposing a new model to incorporate older persons into the fabric of Uruguayan society to assure their social visibility. 

Spain: New Study Connects Aging with Cancer (May 23, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
A newly released study from the Spanish National Research Center on Oncology shows the link between cancer and aging. Manel Esteller, who headed the research, explains that the so-called Wegner gene links the process of aging with the development of degenerative diseases like cancer. The gene actually repairs DNA, thus protects the organism from aging and stops cell mutations. The finding will help scientists develop better ways to treat cancer, especially in older patients.

 Latin America: The Tide to Come: Elderly Health in Latin America and the Caribbean (April 2006)
At present, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) adults over the age 65 make up the first generation to survive childhood diseases with medical intervention. Yet, medical histories and nutrition in early childhood still dictate the likelihood of diabetes and heart disease. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison & PAHO suggest that histories of high knee-height & waist-to-hip indexes as well as rheumatic fever relate to the prevalence of diabetes and heart disease in LAC. Their conclusion suggests that the elderly population of the next sixty years will be plagued by chronic illnesses as malnutrition and obesity trends shift. Despite medical interventions, future generations run the high risk of suffering from diabetes and heart disease..

Latin  America: The Tide to Come: Elderly Health in Latin America and the Caribbean (April 2006)
At present, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) adults over the age 65 make up the first generation to survive childhood diseases with medical intervention. Yet, medical histories and nutrition in early childhood still dictate the likelihood of diabetes and heart disease. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison & PAHO suggest that histories of high knee-height & waist-to-hip indexes as well as rheumatic fever relate to the prevalence of diabetes and heart disease in LAC. Their conclusion suggests that the elderly population of the next sixty years will be plagued by chronic illnesses as malnutrition and obesity trends shift. Despite medical interventions, future generations run the high risk of suffering from diabetes and heart disease. 

Cuba: Geriatric Experts Will Meet in La Habana for GeriCuba 2006 (April 25, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Health professionals from Latin America, the Caribbean and elsewhere will meet in May in La Habana, Cuba, for an international conference on aging. GeriCuba 2006 is an event that will gather experts on geriatrics. Participants will focus on the medical aspects of providing care for older adults and the social dimensions of aging. The conference will serve as a venue for older persons to voice their concerns and suggest possible solutions for the problems
they often face. 

Bolivia: Free Health Care Program in Crisis (April 18, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Since the Bolivian Congress passed a bill requiring local governments to take financial responsibility for the free health care program for the elderly, chaos has enveloped hospitals. Local authorities are asked to pay soaring debts from the program’s cost. However, until the bill becomes an official law, neither the central government nor local authorities want to pay the debt. Local hospitals lack enough resources. The central government fears that it may fail to realize its promise to serve older adults for free. A dilemma of expectations. 

Argentina: Older Persons Should Have Preferential Attention in Hospitals (April 17, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Older Argentineans need special attention in hospitals and public clinics. Although Argentina has laws that protect older persons, the laws are not properly enforced and accurate information is often missing from health centers. The Regional Council of Older Adults asked public health authorities to increase their focus on issues affecting older persons and encourage health care workers to give better service to the elderly. 

Chile: Bachelet Initiates a Fund for Older Adults (April 17, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Chile’s newest step toward improving quality services for older adults is the creation of a National Fund for Older Adults. The fund will transfer resources to legally established older persons’ organizations. Financial assistance will help the organization implement development and social programs for the elderly. The National Fund for Older Adults complements the newly-launched free health care and social pension programs. In addition, the government will train 570 health professionals in geriatrics to serve older persons’ needs better. 

Canada: Alcohol and Seniors: Alcohol Dependence and Misuse among Older Gay and Lesbian People (March 2006)
Different statistics show that alcohol dependence and substance abuse are generally higher among gay and lesbian people than heterosexual people. While drinking problems may be less today because of increased acceptance in society, there are many older gay and lesbian people who have health and psychological problems as a result of years of drinking and substance abuse. One factor is that they grew up in a society that was less prone to accept their lifestyle, so they internalized their feelings, leading to psychological conflicts and stress. One of the few places where they could be themselves was at a bar. Research shows that many older gay and lesbian people had their first sexual experience under the influence of alcohol. This report explores the different factors and problems that older gay and lesbian people face. One of the problems is lack of services designed to address this issue.

Bolivia: The Government Delegates Financial Responsibility for Elderly Health Care Program to Local Authorities (March 29, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Older persons in Bolivia have the right to access free health care after the age of 60. Earlier this year, the government approved legislation to change this program for the elderly. As a result, the central government is no longer responsible for the costs of the free health care program. Instead, local authorities will have to pay hospitals and clinics with funds from oil industry taxes. The government expects that the reforms will not negatively affect beneficiaries and that health care staff will continue to provide quality service. 

Chile: Health Care Now Free for Elderly in Chile (March 17, 2006)
Michelle Bachelet has implemented her first measure as Chile’s president: free health care for patients over 60 years of age. Although 80% of Chileans are covered by the national health-insurance system, many retirees on small or no pension support cannot afford to pay for its coverage. This program ensures health care coverage for these pensioners. Plus, the new president has highlighted the current situation of older persons in Chile where many retirees live on as little as $56 a month.

Chile: Bachelet Supervises “Free Access to Health Care” Program in a Local Hospital (March 15, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
President Michelle Bachelet visited San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santiago to follow up the implementation of her newly launched “free access to health care” program. Since March 14, older persons are entitled to free health care in public hospitals starting at age 60. Bachelet wants to watch carefully the progress of this program and keep an eye on potential problems. The government firmly believes that access to free health care for older adults will significantly impact older adults’ quality of life, especially for those most vulnerable. “This country has done well, it is fair now to cut the costs of health care for older persons,” said Bachelet. 

Chile: Older Adults Will Have Free Access to Health Services (March 14, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
President Bachelet is implementing a new program, starting March 14, that will give adults 60 years old and above free access to health services in public hospitals and clinics. Chilean elderly, at age 65, already had discounted services and were given preference in hospital lines. The aim of the new program is to open the national health system to all older adults and to improve the quality of care, especially in geriatrics. President Bachelet also wishes to eliminate discrimination against age and gender, a problem that older persons often face when seeking medical attention.    

Bolivia: New Law Will Reform and Improve Free Health Care for Older Adults (March 6, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
The National Congress has approved a law that will reform free health insurance for older adults. The government has changed the program's name from "Free Medical Insurance for the Elderly" to "Health Insurance for Older Adults," in an effort to be politically correct. Local governments' funds and revenues from taxes on the oil industry will pay for the cost of this new health care. Older adults above sixty are eligible for this comprehensive and free insurance. It is expected that the number of beneficiaries will increase and that the service will improve. 

Ecuador: Physical Exercise Motivates Older Adults in Riobamba (March 6, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Every Friday morning the local military offers older persons in Riobamba free aerobic classes. Contagious tropical music gives rhythm to the cardio routine. Two doctors are present to do check-ups before and after the classes. It is not breaking news that exercise helps older adults stay active, healthy and happy. The instructors highlight that this activity has motivated many older people to have a positive outlook about aging. " I love to dance and the aerobics. One has to enjoy this stage in life and be proud of one's grays," said 70-year old Maria Gallegos. 

Canada: Ruling Has Canada Planting Seeds of Private Health Care (February 20, 2006)
Canada's public health insurance system may be forced to consider more private health insurance measures. Quebec has been ordered to reform their public system after a Court ruling in June 2005 declared that long waits violate a patient's "'life and personal security, inviolability and freedom,' and that prohibition of private health insurance was unconstitutional when the public health system did not deliver 'reasonable services.'" Canada's health care changes will definitely be something to watch in the upcoming months, especially as provincial elections draw near in the next year or two. Perhaps a short trip to the USA will give Canadian legislators the best medicine for this taste of privatization: uninsured, untreated sick persons of all ages throughout the richest country in the world. And some Canadians complain about long waiting lines? 

Venezuela: Older Persons Receive Special Attention at Gerontological Farms (February 17, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
The Venezuelan Institute for Social Services has created a novel program for older persons called "Gerogranjas" (short name in Spanish for Gerontological Farms), in which participants engage in gardening, farming, and outdoor activities. There are thirteen farms in urban and rural areas across the country, serving 780 people. A multidisciplinary team of social workers, doctors, and agricultural experts participate in this program. Older persons are encouraged to take part in the gerogranjas to stay physically and mentally active. 

Mexico: Older Adults Show Athletic Abilities (February 15, 2006) 
(Article in Spanish)
The Mexican Athletic Games for older adults took place yesterday in León. The competition attracted a number of older persons who were eager to participate and practice their athletic abilities. The representative from the National Institute for Older Adults said that government's aim is to promote physical activity among the elderly. 

Canada: Drugs for the Elderly May Impair Mental Functions, Study Shows (February 1, 2006)
A study in the British Medical Journal found that anticholinergic drugs, which include antidepressants, painkillers, and other therapies, may lead to deficits in cognitive functioning and mental impairment. The elderly are particularly at risk for these negative side effects because their brains absorb the medicine quicker, excrete it slower, and it may interact with other drugs. Researchers found that more than 30% of elderly residents in U.S. nursing homes take more than two anticholinergic drugs. 

Canada: For Our Older Persons, No Privatization of Health Care (January 30, 2006)
(Article in French)
Réjean Hébert, MD and Health Sciences Dean warns about the consequences of the privatization the Canadian health system. Some claim that the needs of growing numbers of older persons justifies such a change. But  Dr. Hébert says that aging is only fifth among other causes for increased health expenditures.  Aging needs lag far behind, for instance, the uncontrolled increase in the price of drugs. Targeting the elderly is easy since most keep silent. But that ignores that we are all on our way to old age.

Mexico: Respiratory Infections Rise 43% this Winter (January 17, 2006) (Article in Spanish)
The cases of old persons with respiratory infections have dramatically increased this winter. The Public Health department coordinator said that in 2005 there were 43% more cases of sick elders. Low temperatures will continue across the country, especially in the states of Chihuahua, Distrito Federal, Nayarit, Yucatán and Guerrero. Old people are more vulnerable to the cold and need to take special precautions to prevent further respiratory complications such as pneumonia. 

Argentina: Outdoor Activities planned for the Elderly this Summer (January 9th, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
In Rio Grande (Tierra de Fuego), the Social Welfare secretary has organized a program of outdoor activities for local older persons. Summer is an excellent opportunity for such projects that take place every Saturday in January and February at a nearby camping facility. The Social Welfare secretary will offer the participants transportation to the camping center, breakfast, lunch and a snack. Older persons will be able to enjoy a number of various leisure and cultural activities as well. The Social Welfare Secretary wants to include older persons in the community and enhance their opportunities for physical activity. 

Spain: A New Equine Therapy Center for the Elderly to be Open in Lleida 
(January 3, 2006) 
(Article in Spanish)
In Lleida, Spain, a non-profit organization concerned with elderly issues, will open an equine therapy center for older persons this coming February. The center will offer a range of therapies, based on a theory that interaction with horses not only helps people gain good health and social skills, but also slows the process of aging. Andrómeda, the foundation in charge of the center, firmly subscribes to this theory and is eager to provide elderly people a new invigorating, life-changing experience. The foundation will also hire disabled and socially excluded persons to expand the center's social mission. 

Chile: Optimism and Healthy Lifestyle are Key Elements for a Good Aging Life (January 2, 2006) 
(Article in Spanish)
Duke University studies have recently shown that a Mormon community in Utah has the highest life expectancy in the country. The old people in this area not only live longer, but also age in good health and a positive outlook. Researchers believe that the influence of the Mormon Church, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol and the use of cigarettes, has impacted the behavior of the elderly, who have healthy diets and strong social networks. In Chile, aging expert Antonio Cano has said that optimism and the capacity to adapt are as important as a good diet and physical and mental activity. 

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Asia Pacific

Australia: Bone Research Strengthened in Lead Up to World Osteoporosis Day (October 19, 2006)
Older people who get osteoporosis and the fractures that often accompany it face earlier deaths, disability, and a diminished quality of life. Scientists in Australia have identified a genetic mutation found in bones that appears to incline persons to low bone density and increased risk of bone fractures. As many as 100,000 Australians could be carrying a genetic mutation that is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.   

Australia: Loss of Hearing Ability and Sight Are Connected (October 11, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
Australian scientists discovered that loss of hearing ability causes loss of sight and vice versa in older age. The scientists came to this conclusion after examining 2000 patients whose average age was 70 years old some 88% of persons with sight problems also had hearing difficulties.

Kashmir: Geriatric, Palliative Care Received Little Attention in Quake Hit Zone (September 16, 2006)
In the quake hit zone of Kashmir, an assessment showed that elderly people suffered from lack of care.  Many required tangible and specific attention.
To tackle this issue and better meet older persons’ needs, two NGO’s launched training workshops focused on reorganizing local healthcare in the direction of geriatric and palliative care.
This focus on elder needs is particularly appropriate since Kashmir celebrates the International Day of Older Persons on October 1.

Cambodia: Older Persons AIDS Knowledge and Willingness to Provide Care in an Impoverished Nation: Evidence from Cambodia (September 2006)
Given the current AIDS epidemic in poor countries, older persons often become the primary caregivers for children who have contracted the disease.  In this research report, the authors examine elderly persons’ understanding of the disease and their willingness to provide care.  Results indicate that older women are more likely to be willing to provide care, but are less knowledgeable about the disease in comparison to younger women of reproductive age.  The authors recommend programs that would provide radios and television sets to impoverished people as a way to educate persons about AIDS and encourage caregiving. 

China to Lose Labor Force Advantage as Result of Aging Society: Report (August 22, 2006) 
Labor-intensive manufacturing has largely been responsible for the economic growth of China .   However Chinese society ages, experts predict the slowing down of economic development due to reductions in the labor force in the coming years. The China Academy of Social Sciences reports the decline will begin in 2016 and continue to decrease yearly. According to China National Committee on Aging, the 65 and older population will reach 243 million in 2020, more than double the aged population of China today.

Japan: Elderly A-Bomb Victims Still Suffering (July 31, 2006)
A survey conducted by Yomiuri Shimbun shows that many elderly atomic bomb survivors decided not to get married or have children because they were concerned about the impact their exposure to radiation might have on future generations. Concerned that they might have children and grandchildren born with defects, many elderly survivors broke off their relationships, exposing themselves to loneliness. Many still suffer from various health problems such as cataracts, hepatic function disorder, cancer, and thyroid gland disorder.

ASEAN Health Ministers Agree on Cooperation (July 27, 2006)
Health Ministers in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries have joined their counterparts of China, Japan and Korea to take initiatives that address emerging health concerns. The group, known as ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers, plan to combat threats to their region’s health and security through the greater exchange of information, experience and expertise. They also reaffirmed their commitment to developing integrated health policies that include the health care needs of older persons. 

Australia: Age-Old Questions (July 19, 2006)
Practice has shown that publishing brochures and organizing community support groups is not always an effective way to help HIV positive people. They often do not want to go to local centers for fear of being recognized, and some are reluctant to educate themselves through reading. With statistics suggesting that HIV infections among gay men in their 40s are rising, health authorities need to find new ways to reach older people.

Thailand: Government Warned of Aging Explosion in 20 Years (July 14, 2006)
The older Thai population, growing at a rapid pace, will make up 20% of the population in 20 years. Meanwhile, the existing social and health provisions might collapse under the pressure of growing demand. Researchers warn authorities that to avoid looming crisis the government should recognize this problem and implement new social and health care reforms. 

Hong Kong, China: 42% of Low Blood Sugar Level Elderly Patients Admitted Came From Elderly Nursery (July 8, 2006)
(Article in Chinese)
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong discovered that in the first quarter of 2006, nearly 45% of older persons over 80 years old who were admitted to the hospital due to low blood sugar levels came from old age nursing homes. The medical staff attributes this situation to poor management standards in the nursing homes. The hospital’s social department discovered a number of abuses: wrongful distribution of medications to nursing home residents, failure to follow the doctors’ prescriptions about the use and amount of medicine and a giving cathartic to the elderly without consulting doctors.

New Zealand: Vitamins No Help to Older People’s Thinking, Study Says (June 29, 2006)
New research from Otago University has shown that taking vitamins does not help older persons’ mental performance. These studies contradict previous views that vitamin supplements may help to prevent dementia. Now many doctors might change their recommendations to older patients. 

Philippines: Philippines Trying to Cut Medicine Cost (June 14, 2006)
By filing a case against the Philippine government for patent infringement on a hypertension drug, Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant, has “angered officials and consumers.” Philippine drug prices are up to 45 times higher than in other Asian countries, a result of large pharmaceutical monopolies and marketing schemes. In response to the precarious conditions that many patients face in light of the high cost of medicine, the coalition Effective Medicine at Affordable Prices advocates for new laws, specifically to shorten patent periods, support the generic industry, and reduce “evergreening”--obtaining patents for slight drug modifications. 

Hong Kong: Mystery Illness Lays Bare Drugs List Faults (June 12, 2006) Chinese authorities adopted a new drug policy in which the government will only subsidize medications that are on the Hospital Authority central drug list. If a patient needs a medication that is not on the list, he or she has to pay its full cost without government aid. This new regulation will have dramatic effects on older persons for whom previous government aid was the only way they could afford necessary medication. Chow Chin-sun, 59 years old, is one of them. After the new regulations come into effect, he will have to spend his life savings paying medical bills.

Japan: Japanese Scientists Give New Hope to Alzheimer’s Victims (June 3, 2006) 
The team of Japanese Professor Teruo Miyazawa discovered that plasmalogen, a substance contained in seafood, may prevent death of nerve cells. Experiments with rats showed that consumption of this substance prevented the decline of their memory and learning abilities. The research also proved that sea squirt contains as much as 0.1 percent of plasmalogen. This study may be extremely useful in the search for a cure against Alzheimer’s disease affecting millions of people around the world.

Japan: What Japan Can Do to Push Its Longevity Envelope (May 2006)
With the highest life expectancy at birth in the world, Japan has clearly reaped the benefits of better nutrition and living conditions, products of industrialization and urbanization. However, like many developed nations, a rise in chronic diseases has accompanied the changes in lifestyle and diet. Eliminating some specific chronic diseases would allow further increases in life expectancy, and policy towards this end fosters change. The issues most readily addressed by public initiatives include smoking, cancer, and influenza--none of which is targeted aggressively by Japan’s government, but would undoubtedly influence life expectancy statistics.

New Zealand: Health Big Winner in Budget (May 18, 2006)
New Zealand’s 2006 health budget includes $126 million over the next four years to improve care for older persons. Funding will be split between home-based support services ($58 million) and age-related residential care ($68 million). Health Minister Pete Hodgson said, “This is a significant investment in the health of older New Zealanders, but it's also one that will help us keep pace with the growing number of people choosing to remain in their homes for as long as possible.”

Thailand: About 20,000 Thai Elderly People Face the Risk of Developing Cataract Each Year (May 10, 2006)
The Thai National Health Insurance Office (NHIO) is trying to address cataracts among older persons – the leading cause of blindness – by partnering with opthalmologists. Under the partnership NHIO will provide eye surgery services for older persons “under the 30-baht medical care” (30-baht is less than US $1). 

India: An Ageing Population (May 9, 2006)
Despite India’s growing aging population, the country does not have a sufficient policy framework to provide social security. Older persons in India are increasingly experiencing isolation, financial insecurity, and a lack of social support as younger persons move to urban areas and the traditional family structure continues to change. According to a study by All India Institute of Medical Sciences, older women disproportionately experience mental health issues, receive less education, and are more economically dependent on others than older men.

New Zealand: Healthcare Premiums Hit Elderly (May 4, 2006)
Starting July 1, Southern Cross Healthcare will drive up premiums for people over 60, while cutting premiums for 20-year-olds on the same plan. Hospital and specialist premiums for 70-year-olds with a low claims rebate will increase from $34.96 to $40.90 per week, while 20-year-olds with the same rebate will pay $4.88 per week instead of $6.73. According to Chief Executive Ian McPherson, this shift is due to the large number of medical claims for older persons and an attempt to reach the younger generation. Many people, especially older persons, cannot afford the increasing premiums and as a result the number of insured New Zealanders has dropped from 50% to 33% since the early 1990s.

China: China to Slash Price of 160 Drugs to Ease Healthcare Burden (May 2, 2006)
China’s National Development and Reform Commission plans to cut the prices of 160 drugs after investigating pharmaceutical companies. The China Daily reported that “pharmaceutical factories commonly jack up the price of their products to gain huge profits, and those soaring prices have been blamed as a key reason for the hefty costs of medical treatment.”

Singapore: Opposition Raises Healthcare Costs as Key Election Issue (May 1, 2006)
As Singapore’s 10th General Election draws near on May 6, 2006, healthcare costs are at the center of the debate. While traditional values support caring for elders, critics claim that the younger generation’s economic hardships, combined with their parents’ large medical bills, are making it difficult to care for older Singaporeans. 

China: Metabolic Syndrome Prevalent in China (April 17, 2006)
Chinese elders are developing five risk factors for cardiovascular disease, collectively called metabolic syndrome, after adopting Western diets and lifestyles. The five risk factors include central obesity defined by waist circumference, high blood pressure, low HDL ("good" cholesterol), high triglycerides, and high blood sugar. A growing aging population and the emergence of metabolic syndrome will create a huge burden for the health care system in China.

Sri Lanka: Poison Plant Fuels Suicide Bids (April 10, 2006)
Sri Lanka’s suicide rate is growing due to the accessibility of a common, poisonous roadside plant – the Yellow Oleander tree. This plant covers the island and people only need one seed from the fruit in a Yellow Oleander flower to kill themselves. Older persons are among those that attempt suicide, possibly due to family tension. Furthermore, 10% of the attempts are fatal, which is much higher than in western countries. Although an antidote is commonly found in the US, the remedy for the poison is too expensive for most people in Sri Lanka.

Malaysia: Only Nine Doctors for Elderly Care (April 9, 2006)
While the number of older Malaysians will grow steadily during the coming decades, there are currently only 9 geriatrists in the country. The government is encouraging medical students to specialize in geriatrics, as experts recommend that there should be one geriatric doctor for every 4,000 older persons. With a population of almost 2 million, Malaysia is one the developing countries with highest life expectancy: 72 years.  Increased geriatric specialists must be found to help care for the increasing number of older Malaysians.

New Zealand: Elderly Going Hungry in Bay (April 5, 2006)
Two-thirds of fully dependent elderly people in the Bay’s nursing homes and private hospitals are malnourished, estimates leading dietitian Fiona Boyle. Experts point out that insufficient staff cannot feed patients properly.  Without enough food, patients grow malnourished. Appropriate nutrition plays a key role in a patient’s overall health, especially for fragile elderly people.

Taiwan: Education of Adult Children and Mortality of Their Elderly Parents in Taiwan (March 2005)
Educational attainment and a subsequent increase in socioeconomic status have significant effects on a person’s health and mortality. Persons with more education have better access to resources that contribute to good health. While this trend holds true across countries, one can see further implications. When a family is strongly unified across generations and resources are shared within the household, then the educational attainment of adult children has as important effects on the parents’ length of life. This report examines the case in Taiwan and analyzes if educational attainment really is more of a family asset rather than individual one. 


India: Community-Based Health Insurance Shows Promise in India (March 2006)
Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) is developing around the world and increasing in diversity. A method of resort for millions of people without healthcare, it improves availability of health care and prevents financial devastation. Though many challenges remain, such as sustainability and successful marketing, CBHI fosters multi-party cooperation and support by the World Bank and World Health Organization. India in particular is enjoying great progress, especially important because only 11% of the population has health insurance. Unique features of CBHI--local and voluntary participation, prepayment as incentives--are affording early successes in the process of refining the programs.

Vietnam: Social Protection Network to Be Expanded for the Elderly (March 27, 2006)
(Article in French)
The Vietnamese Labor, Disabled Veterans, and Social Affairs Minister, announced that the new 2006-2010 program for older persons will include free health care and social pensions for all Vietnamese elders. The government also plans to improve training for health professionals and to emphasize the important role of older persons in society. 

South Korea: South Korea’s TB Deaths on the Rise (March 23, 2006)
The number of Tuberculosis (TB) patients grew 11.6% from 2004 to 2005 and remains among the top ten leading causes of death for South Koreans. Older persons represent about 25% of all South Korean TB patients. TB can remain dormant for years, which suggests that older persons carrying TB from the epidemic in South Korea during the 1950s and 60s are unknowingly carrying and spreading this infectious disease. 

Philippines: Adding Years to Life (March 20, 2006)
By changing our lifestyle and environment humans can add years to life. For example, all top seven causes of death among Filipinos, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes can be reduced by modifying the risky behaviors leading to these diseases. We not only want to live longer; we want to live healthier longer. As life expectancy increases throughout the world, so does healthy life expectancy. “A 60- year-old Filipino male can expect eight more years of healthy life expectancy, and a Filipino female, 11.7 more years.”

Vietnam: PM Khai Calls for Greater Care for Seniors (March 18, 2006)
A recent conference in Ha Noi reviewed health care services for older persons that the Viet Nam Elderly Association (VEA) has provided over the past five years. The prime minister commended VEA for its nation-wide programs and encouraged it to reach out to rural and remotes areas. The VEA plans to establish welfare networks, create social clubs, advocate for more house calls by doctors, and secure housing for older persons.

Vietnam: Full Care for the Elderly (March 16, 2006)
(Article in French)
The Vietnamese State and its governing Party are currently reviewing their last five years of health care policy for the elderly. The review finds that health and “spiritual” care activities have improved enabling older persons to lead “saner, happier and more useful lives.” A 2004 survey on the situation of older persons in Vietnam shows that 74% live with their family and 39% receive State pensions.

Singapore: Elder Care Enhanced (March 8, 2006)
The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to overhaul the country’s health care system within the next decade to address the needs of their aging population. About 85% of the senior citizens in Singapore will need lifelong treatment for one or more chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In order to improve efficiency and save money, the MOH plans to transform their health services by creating one-stop health centers to address these chronic illnesses.

China: Caretakers Experience Senior Life (March 1, 2006)
Trying to improve the care provided to the elderly, a Chinese nursing home has organized a training experience for its employees. With faulty eye glasses, ear plugs and other equipments the staff is given the opportunity to experience how 80 year-old persons sees the world surrounding them. After the experience, Zhao, one of the caretakers, said he would be able to provide better service.

Japan: Inpatient Numbers to be Cut / Medical Reform Bills Seek to Reform 'Social Hospitalization' Malady (February 28, 2006)
The average hospital stay for a Japanese patient is 36 days. This is mainly attributed to social hospitalization, which is when people are in the hospital for long periods of time for non-medical reasons. Many of these people are elderly who receive free medical care in hospitals because there are not enough nursing homes or at-home care services available. In an attempt to address this problem patients are beginning to pay more out-of-pocket expenses, institutions are receiving less money from the national health insurance system, and there will be a reduction in the number of hospital beds. Japan also plans on promoting nursing homes and expanding home care services.

India: Scientists Suggest Influenza Vaccine for Elderly (February 27, 2006)
Scientists are urging older persons and other high risk populations to get a flu shot. Not only will the vaccine protect people from common influenza strains found in India throughout the year, but it will also help prevent mutations in the H5N1 strain (bird-flu virus) and possibly reduce the severity of illness if someone is infected with the bird-flu. Currently, the bird-flu virus is passed between humans so this is only a precautionary measure.

Japan: Green Tea Minimizes the Deterioration of Perception for Old People (February 26, 2006)
(Article in Arabic)
A medical study has shown that the risk of old persons suffering perception difficulties is minimized among persons who drink green tea regularly. Laboratory experiments established that some green tea components may prevent the deterioration process of brain cells associated with such diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

South Korea: Elderly to Enjoy Better Care System in 2008 (February 7, 2006) "Elderly Care Insurance," a long-term care insurance program for South Korean seniors, will begin in 2008. This program will run separately from the current national health insurance program and specifically cover age-related health costs. The financial investment for the program will be shared between current health insurance subscribers and the government, although people making less than 401,000 won will be exempted from payment. The South Korean government is making another critical decision to anticipate the needs of its rapidly expanding older population.

Australia: Full Gap Fee Hits Elderly (January 10, 2006)
Pensioners on Tasmania's east coast are now forced to pay the full gap fee for consultations. The gap represents the difference between the Medicare payment and the medical doctors' charge. The gap fee is about AUD 23. The government wants to make medical practice in Tasmania more financially attractive, i.e., lucrative, to health professionals.   But will high fees keep sick people away from necessary care?

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Europe and Central Asia

UK: Height Loss Tied to Heart Disease in Men (December 11, 2006)
Have you considered doing yoga well into old age? If not, rethink your options. Yoga helps maintain muscle mass, which eventually helps you maintain mobility, avoid frailty and most importantly, it helps you avoid excessive shrinking. Excessive shrinking does not have to happen to you! It signals health deterioration, not aging. A UK study of 4,213 older British men found that shrinking an inch or more over a period of 20 years results in preliminary deaths related to heart disease.

UK: Wait- Hip Ratio Trumps BMI in Seniors (November 21, 2006)
Are you living in fear of your BMI (body mass index)? A recent UK study on “Waist, shape and mortality risk in older persons” says you can put these worries behind you.  Researchers concluded that BMI calibrations are inaccurate predictors of poor cardiovascular health and mortality.  Instead, they found that the Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a more accurate measurement and predictor of cardiovascular health risk and mortality. It is directly correlated to a decline in health and an increase in mortality. Then who is at risk, you ask?  The data indicates that persons with 0.8 or higher WHR, with excess abdomen fat, are at highest risk of dying from cardiovascular problems.

Kazakhstan: Sport Makes Life Longer (November 11, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
A group of the pensioners from Ust-Kamenogorsk decided to support the presidential initiative on healthy life. Despite the fact that many of them are older than 70, they practice weightlifting. The pensioners set an example for the youth, proving that exercise helps to prolong life. 

Scotland: Seventy-Nine Percent of Carers use Humor to Cope, but Thirty Percent Say their Emotional Well-Being has Suffered (November 1, 2006)
A recent study revealed that health and social care professionals receive more satisfaction from the quality of care they provide when they use humor and holistic approaches along with practical solutions to problems. Alison Jarvis, a nurse researcher, conducted the study in a Scottish practice comprised of five family doctors and 5,000 registered adults aged 16 or over. According to Jarvis, "This study shows that it is the invisible consequences of care giving, such as family tensions and lack of time, that seem to be most stressful, even at an early stage…These chronic stress factors may accumulate and the last stressor, which may appear to be relatively minor, could trigger a crisis.”

Spain: Three in Every Ten Elders Hospitalized becomes disabled (October 30, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Some 19.6% of the seven million Spaniards over the age of 65, an estimated 1.45million are dependent. According to the Spanish Society of Geriatric Medicine (Semeg), an inadequate hospitalization of older adults brings on this dependency.  Thirty percent of older persons hospitalized develop some sort of physical disability that they acquired during their hospitalization. Semeg seeks to ameliorate the problem by creating multidisciplinary units that offer personalized evaluations and adequate treatment to those admitted into hospitals.  It believes that a large percentage of physical impediments can be prevented.  

Norway: Norway: A Model Country (Octover 29, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
The United Nations has considered Norway, along with Canada, as the country with the best quality of life, three times. An expensive country, Oslo ranks as the most expensive city in the world. Yet poverty is not an issue. A taxi driver tells writer Andrea Ventura, in perfect English, “If you need an operation due to health problem, everything is free."

Russia: Ice Skater with 80 Years of Experience (October 24, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
A pensioner from Ekaterinburg, Petr Shaidurov, celebrated his 94th birthday on the skating rink. Ice skating is his passion, and despite his age, he is sure that he could take part in the TV broadcast of “Ice Dancing with Stars.”

France: Death by Negligence (October 19, 2006)
(Article in French)
“We kill the old people” is a provocative book that condemns conditions of hospitalized old persons facing abuse, indifference and euthanasia at the hand of their care givers. The author calculates that this situation is responsible for more deaths than the scorching heat waves in the summer of 2003. Geriatrics departments are turning into economic engines in the pursuit of profitability. This is even more dramatic since the 2004 reform implemented “activity pricing” (T2A): the hospital allocates a sum according to the illness, while older people often have various pathologies. This book declares that in the current system elder patients are considered “bed blockers.”

Russia: Three-Fourths of Orlov Pensioners Chose Monetary Compensation (October 10, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
There are 52,170 pensioners in Oryol who have a right to social benefits and
discounts. Of these, 33,379 decided to choose monetary compensation instead
of benefits this year, 940 persons more than in the previous year. The main
reasons are long lines at social security agencies that provide benefits and a shortage of necessary free medications in pharmacies. People choose a couple of rubles instead of the prescribed drug because they have lost hope that the State will keep its promise of providing pharmacies with free medications.

Russia: How to Live Till 100 Years Without Feeling Old (October 5, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
Medical studies proved that every human being has biological potential to live around 150 years old. At the same time according to the UN statistics the average lifespan of people in Europe is 71 years for men and 79 years for women, in Russia it is only 58 and 72 years correspondingly. Can we change this situation? 

Germany: Merkel Announces a Deal, Avers a Crisis (October 5, 2006)
German leaders came together to discuss the ailing health care system in which insurer costs have soared to a mounting €140 billion per year.  At a time when the birthrate is decreasing, the population is aging, fewer people are paying into the country's social system and the costs of providing treatment are growing, more government funding may be necessary to meet the country’s actual health costs.  After many hours of deliberation, a compromise was reached by Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democrats, Edmund Stoiber of the sister Christian Social Union party, and Kurt Beck, chairman of the Social Democrats. However, it is still unclear whether the proposed plan will rein in  exploding costs.  

France: “Alzheimer, How Can We Live With It?” A Topical Exhibition from September 19, 2006 to February 11, 2007 in the “Cité of Sciences and Industry” in Paris (September 19, 2006)
(Report in French)
For the 13th year, September 21 was declared world Alzheimer’s Day. This disease affects 25 million people in the world and most specialists expect the figures to increase with the ageing population. To acquaint people this illness, several experts joined this exhibition in the “Villette” in Paris. They explained the advances in brain research (Alzheimer’s disease is said to be neurodegenerative), in genetics (it can be passed on to descendants), the contribution of medical imaging, the treatments and the vaccine trials.

Russia: A Man Who is 365 Years Old (September 16, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
On October 18 Japan will celebrate the Day of Older Persons. In Japan today there are  more than 28,000 older persons who have lived longer than 100 years. This phenomenon is unknown in any other country in the world.  In Russia the oldest man is Nikolai Savchenko, 365 years old. He received his passport with the date of birth 1641 when he was exchanging the former Soviet identification for the new Russian Federation document.

Belgium: First Results of the Scorching Heat in Belgium, Around 940 Dead Persons (September 14, 2006)
(Article in French)
The Scientific Institute of Public Health, responsible for listing the number of mortalities due to the summer heatwaves, announced that 940 persons died prematurely. Most of them were more than 85 years old. The statistics surprised the Belgian authorities because they had drawn up a program to prevent such dire consequences from “the heatwaves and the ozone peaks.” Clearly, they planned inadequately.

Spain: Weight Loss in Older Persons is Greatest before the First Symptoms Develop of Alzheimer's Appears   (September 13, 2006)
(Article in Spanish)
Drastic weight loss in older adults is an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease onset. According to a University of Washington study, older persons that develop the disease lose much weight the year before their symptoms appear. Scientists hope that this insight will allow them to develop better diagnostic tests and to create medicines that stop the disease dead in its tracks. 

United Kingdom: Older Women Are More at Risk for Heart Disease than Men And Worse Off than They Were 10 Years Ago, Say USC and UCLA Researchers (September 12, 2006)
Researchers from the University of Southern California have concluded that “women in their 60s have as many risk factors for heart disease as men, and by their 70s have more.” This finding rebuts the previous opinion that it is men who are at greater heart disease risk. Women still, however, have lower risk of heart problems through middle age, but nowadays they have became vulnerable at the same rate as men ten years earlier than before. 

France: a Bacterial Disease Killed 14 People in Health Facilities in the North of France (August 31, 2006)
(Article in French)
A French institute, created to oversee sanitary standards in health establishments, focused public notice on the existence of an iatrogenic infection. The victims are “old people who took antibiotics and were already weakened by an illness.” This epidemic started in the USA and Canada in 2003. It spread through patient transfers to the north of Europe, and then into France. Thanks to new hygiene rules, authorities ended the contamination.

United Kingdom: 'I Had a Silent Killer and I Didn't Know It' (August 27, 2006)
UK medical experts assert that osteoporosis can be a silent killer of the aging population. Lack of warning signs can lead to a broken hip which causes immobility. Recent studies have even shown that 20% of women who suffer a hip fracture die within the next 12 months. Consultant rheumatologist Dr Richard Keen, based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital claims, “As many people die from a fractured hip as die from breast cancer.” Specialists also state that there are currently about 3 million people with the condition in the UK which currently affect 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50. As the population ages, so will osteoporosis and hip fractures increase. More awareness is necessary for prevention.

United Kingdom: Union Raps County for 'Care on Cheap' (August 16, 2006)
Due to recent statistics, Lancashire County Council (LCC) came under scrutiny for inadequately funding residents of care facilities and nursing homes. While England’s national average is £488 per week, LCC authority pays only £395, making them the 3rd worst payer in the North West. County hall officials are currently examining these figures as well attempting to find ways of improving funding so that standards of care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities are no longer compromised. 

United Kingdom: Early Alzheimer's Skin Test Hope (August 15, 2006)
Through the use of a skin test, doctors may be able to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease at its earlier stages. Alzheimer’s is currently very difficult to distinguish from other conditions and patients must undergo various psychiatric tests, which further delay diagnosis and treatment.  However, drugs are more effective in the beginning stages and therefore early diagnosis is key to slowing the progression.  If scientists approve the skin test, this discovery will not only make revolutionary headway for more effective treatments and vaccines, but also have profound effects for patients and their caregivers. 

Germany: A German Older Man Jumps from the Sixth Floor… Escaping the Heat (July 29, 2006)
(Article in Arabic)
An 80 year old who could not stand the heat wave that has swept Germany for several days committed suicide by jumping off the sixth floor balcony of a nursing home. Before he committed suicide, the older man wrote a letter to his son and another to the nursing home administration saying that he decided to commit suicide because he could not stand the killing heat. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Health, two thirds of older people living in nursing homes suffer from underfeeding and a lack of water.

France: The Isolation of Older Persons (July 24, 2006)
(Article in French)
Isolation represents a major issue of concern for older persons. Indeed, after the age of 70 the degree of isolation keeps progressing. Today, among the 12 million people who are older than sixty, 4.3 million live alone and the majority of them are women.

United Kingdom: Ageing 'Linked To Social Status' (July 19, 2006)
Social class may not only have an impact on health and age-related diseases, but also on the ageing process itself. Analysis of telomeres, key pieces of DNA thought to correlate to biological age, showed that a low social status accelerates the ageing process by approximately seven years. The study also found that the lower social group has shorter telomeres, leaving cells more vulnerable to damage, disease, and consequently to accelerated ageing.

Georgia: Free Primary Public Health Care by 2008 (July 5, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
The Ministry of Labor and Social Justice launched important health service reforms to set up free primary public health service for all citizens by 2008. As the country moves towards improving the health service framework, children and the elderly can already receive public health services free of charge. Primary services include programs for prevention of diseases, treatment of common diseases and rehabilitation, mother and childcare, family planning and other services.

Europe: Europe's Elderly Face Inequality in Health Care (July 4, 2006)

According to a new report “The State of Ageing and Health in Europe” by International Longevity Centre-UK and the Merck Company Foundation, while Europeans in general are living longer and better lives, more vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities and the poor face higher risk of ill-health. The report claims that poor older Europeans have a 30% to 65% higher risk of almost all chronic diseases, including stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Sally Greengross, executive director of the International Longevity Centre-UK, insists “Equity of access to services is critical” for EU unions to care for the aging population. 

Germany: A Sickly Compromise for German Healthcare Reform (July 4, 2006)
(Also See OECD Health Report 2006)
Germany’s healthcare system, excellent and affordable compared with many other industrialized countries, has mixed public and private insurance systems. Demographic changes and rising health costs have put pressure on the system, while the payroll contribution method simultaneously hinders expansion of new jobs due to costly employee healthcare payments. The new resolution, highly criticized, makes no fundamental change to the system, leaving the issue of large financing gaps in healthcare.

Russia: Six Abandoned Villages (June 23, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
Inhabitants of six villages lost their connection with the outside world after the collapse of the local collective farm. A collective farm, a form of rural organization during the Soviet Union , ended when the government changed.  People living in rural areas had fully depended on collective farms as the source of small earnings, food supplies and medical assistance. As long as the collective farm operated, the government provided social and medical services for its workers. When it ceased to exist, the new government withdrew these services. Now, many older people in rural areas live without access to groceries, medical service and transportation.

Russia: Crisis in Russia (June 21, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
Alexandr Belkin, a 60-year-old pensioner, died alone in his room in Novosibirsk. Before his death, Mr. Belkin had been sick for three months. His neighbors tried in vain to call local social agencies, hospitals and the police for help but nobody felt responsible. This situation reveals the crisis of the Russian social and health systems: if you are old, sick and poor, you fall through the cracks.

Russia: “The Old Men in the Valley of Death” (June 12, 2006)

(Article in Russian)
On May 24 Petersburg authorities closed the Sofia Perovskaya Hospital (Hospital No. 5). They fired the personnel, moved out helpless and unprotected patients, spreading them among the city’s other hospitals. Two elderly people died after the rash move. For many, this event exposed the current crisis in the Russian health care system, that one can describe as “if you have money – you live, if you don’t – die.”

Russia: 2 Patients Died After Hospital Closure (June 9, 2006)
Two patients died after authorities closed hospital No. 5 in St. Petersburg. Nobody informed patients and relatives about the closure; patients lacked necessary care and assistance. For many, this event exemplifies the current crisis in the Russian health care system. Stas Demin, president of a foundation that worked closely with the hospital, observed the situation in the hospital where patients were moved: “These old people in the hospitals I visited personally just wanted to eat- they were asking for food and medicine.” Government officials responded saying that “hospital meals are not restaurant meals and so there will always be complaints. It’s impossible to please everyone when you cook for a thousand people.” The government currently spends 40 rubles ($1.50) on hospital meals per person per day.

Britain: Finance Manager Admits Siphoning £1m from Council (June 8, 2006)
A finance manager pleaded guilty to “ten counts of theft,” admitting stealing more than £1 million destined for old person's homes. John Musisi Kaduwanema worked for the Birmingham City Council department that deals with issues of social care and health finance. The court will impose sentence on Kaduwanema in July this year.

Britain: ‘Legalise Euthanasia’ Says Expert (June 8, 2006)
Since the British Medical Association took a neutral view on assisted dying, politicians and experts have been debating appropriate changes in law. Although all euthanasia needs proper regulation, the Joffe bill, which gives doctors the right to perform assisted dying, addresses voluntary euthanasia. The non-voluntary type is highly controversial; some advocates suggest a necessity of living wills, while others propose to give control to doctors. The issue of patient power is at stake, and non-voluntary euthanasia will affect the most vulnerable.

Germany: Why German Doctors Are Packing Their Bags (June 7, 2006)
With poor working conditions and low wages compared to other powerhouse countries, German doctors are going to work abroad. The opportunities to earn much higher wages spur the exodus, which leaves medical positions vacant. Difficulties with the social welfare model relate to greater economic troubles--high unemployment, high cost of labor, and reduced investment. Competition from countries such as Britain and Sweden emphasizes Germany’s troubling circumstances.

Britain: Key to Healthy Old Age Explored (June 5, 2006)
The senior sector is the sector of the United Kingdom’s population growing most rapidly. The health of older people, therefore, is becoming a hot issue. Newcastle researchers started a new project to obtain more information on how to stay healthy in the golden years. They recruited hundreds of people over 85 to help conduct the studies.

Belarus: Help for Older People: Social Nurse (June 2, 2006)

(Article in Russian)
Many older people need constant care and attention. Unfortunately, not every family can afford to hire a paid nurse to look after an older person. To solve this problem the Belarusian government established a new profession, the social nurse. Social nurses will fulfill household duties for people who are unable to do it themselves, they will also assist families who take care of their older or disabled members. The duties of social nurses include a responsibility to follow the patient’s regimen: to help the person to consume food and take medicine, to give first aid and call a doctor, to inform relatives in case of necessity. This new service should be particularly helpful for older people who cannot afford to pay for regular nurses. The government promised that the fees for the service will be fixed according to family budgets and be quite affordable.

Russia: Tyumen Physicians to Discuss Quality of Life of the Elderly (May 29, 2006)
(Article in Russian)
A region-wide conference entitled “Elderly Persons: Quality of Life” is taking place in the Tyumen region. Family physicians, gerontologists and other professionals will discuss various issues related to the health and medical care for the elderly population. The agenda includes such topics as new methods for treating arterial hypertension in elderly patients, the quality of life of Tyumen’s oldest residents, and the work of Tyumen’s War Veteran’s Hospital. The city of Tyumen has hosted the conference for eleven years. 

UK: Seniors Desert the NHS to Get Medical Attention Abroad (May 22, 2006) 
(Article in French) 
Faced with long waiting lists at the National Health Service and exorbitant prices in the private sectors‚ many seniors decide to get medical attention abroad. A UK patient saved almost 5‚000 pounds ($7‚300) when she decided to have her operation in India. The European Court of Justice also ruled that the National Health Service must reimburse patients if they are forced to get treatment abroad. 

UK: Poor Balance Predicts Alzheimer's (May 22, 2006)
A new study found that physical declines precede cognitive declines. Signs of deteriorating physical capacities such as poor walking and balance may be early signs of dementia. Older persons with a healthy life style are less likely to develop dementia than those with an unhealthy life style. To reduce the risk of developing dementia, experts recommend that older adults stay mentally and physically active.

UK: Hospital Staff Aged by 'Old Suit' (May 12, 2006)
In order to help medical staff empathize with older patients, doctors and nurses at Leicestershire hospital are putting on specially designed equipment that simulates an older person in poor health. This exercise provides insight and awareness into what it’s like to receive care as an older patient.

UK: Care Homes Fees Increase By 50 (April 28, 2006)
State pensions are not keeping pace with care home fees in the UK. A study from Help the Aged found that care home fees increased over 50%, while pensions rose only 21.5%, over the last five years. Many older persons are selling their homes to pay bills, only to find out that sometimes it isn’t enough. Sir Christopher Kelly, a former senior civil servant at the Department of Health said, “If we continue with this already over-stretched, inequitable and incomprehensible system of funding while demand continues to rise, there will be serious costs for the dignity and well-being of older people.” 

Europe: Baby-Boomers Report Most Happy with Sex Lives (April 24, 2006) 
In a new study, baby-boomers report having the most fulfilling sex-lives. After changing social attitudes towards sex, the post-war generation is still enjoying the benefits of the sexual revolution. While study participants in long-term relationships claim to have the best sex ever, baby-boomers who changed their partners in their forties are the most sexually active.

UK: NHS Cuts Put Elderly in Danger, Say Nurses (April 24, 2006)
As the National Health System (NHS) cuts jobs, closes hospital beds, and reduces other services in order to address its deficit, older persons are bearing the brunt of these decisions. Cuts also include decreasing the number of beds available to older adults for recovery from falls, strokes and surgery. Ironically, Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary, claims that the NHS has had their best year ever. Although it may have been a positive year for other parts the NHS, it widely ignored older persons’ needs. 

England: Pledge to End NHS Elderly Abuse (April 20, 2006)
In accordance with the National Service Framework for Older Adults, the English government promises to establish “dignity in care” through zero tolerance policies of neglect and abuse of older persons in the health care system. The government plans on mainstreaming these measures into daily health practice in hospitals and home care. Although this step is part of the government’s 10-year plan to improve elder care in England, there is no new money to enforce