Demographic Paper
Demographic Paper
Preshious Dunham
HCS/490
March 5, 2012
Jeinnie Avera
Demographic Paper
The age of population is one of the challenges the United States faces. The shift of demographics may have an effect on the needs and services of this particular population. In this paper it will be discussed how the demographics may have an impact on the health care market, how changes will affect health care such as increase in health care cost and increase in prescription drug cost.
General Impact on Health Care Market
Between 2000 and 2050, the number of ageing population will increase by 135% During this time period, the proportion of the population that is over the age of 65 will increase from 12.7% in 2000 to 20.3% in 2050; the proportion of the population that is age 85 and older will increase from 1.6% in 2000 to 4.8% in 2050 ((Wiener & Tilly, 2002). The market for health care services will increase with the ageing of the societies and because the ageing process will not stop, the health care market and hospitals will have to adapt to the changes of their patients. The health of older Americans is improving. Still, many are disabled and suffer from chronic conditions needing a longer recovery time, temporary assistance and support to take care of themselves (Mierla_Florina, 2008). Since the ageing population will require focusing on these chronic diseases, the style of medicine will be required to change to correct the ongoing management of theses disease and disabilities. With these chronic illnesses long term care services such as nursing homes, home health, personal care and adult day care will become important sources of care ((Wiener & Tilly, 2002).
Affect on Health Care Cost
The United States has public programs for the ageing population that provide health care, long-term care, and income support. There are also smaller programs that provide housing, social services, transportation, and additional cash assistance.
Preshious Dunham
HCS/490
March 5, 2012
Jeinnie Avera
Demographic Paper
The age of population is one of the challenges the United States faces. The shift of demographics may have an effect on the needs and services of this particular population. In this paper it will be discussed how the demographics may have an impact on the health care market, how changes will affect health care such as increase in health care cost and increase in prescription drug cost.
General Impact on Health Care Market
Between 2000 and 2050, the number of ageing population will increase by 135% During this time period, the proportion of the population that is over the age of 65 will increase from 12.7% in 2000 to 20.3% in 2050; the proportion of the population that is age 85 and older will increase from 1.6% in 2000 to 4.8% in 2050 ((Wiener & Tilly, 2002). The market for health care services will increase with the ageing of the societies and because the ageing process will not stop, the health care market and hospitals will have to adapt to the changes of their patients. The health of older Americans is improving. Still, many are disabled and suffer from chronic conditions needing a longer recovery time, temporary assistance and support to take care of themselves (Mierla_Florina, 2008). Since the ageing population will require focusing on these chronic diseases, the style of medicine will be required to change to correct the ongoing management of theses disease and disabilities. With these chronic illnesses long term care services such as nursing homes, home health, personal care and adult day care will become important sources of care ((Wiener & Tilly, 2002).
Affect on Health Care Cost
The United States has public programs for the ageing population that provide health care, long-term care, and income support. There are also smaller programs that provide housing, social services, transportation, and additional cash assistance.
References: Farrell, D. (2005, Quarterly). The demographic deficit: How aging will reduce global wealth. McKinsey Quarterly, (Issue 2), 61-66. Mierla_Florina, L. (2008). Aspects of the impact of population ageing on hospitals. Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series, Vol. 17 (Issue 2), p697-701. Wiener, J. M., & Tilly, J. (2002). Population ageing in the United States of America: implications for public programmes. International Journal of Epidemology, 31(issue 4), 776-781. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2.htm