Population Aging Population

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POPULATION AGEING AND SOCIAL HEALTH
2.1 Demographic shift – transition towards a much older population
CVD occurs more frequently in the aging population which is most advanced in the most highly developed countries. [3] Population ageing arises from 3 major demographic effects: increase in average life expectancy, declining fertility and migration. [9] The substantial increase in average life expectancy is a phenomenon that occurs due to the reduction of infant mortality, control of infectious diseases and the enhancement of sanitation, living standards and nutrition. In 2050, the number of the elderly is projected to be five times higher than today and will represent 4% of the total population. [9] Elderly people aged 80 and over is the …show more content…

[3] Among other social factors, such as money distribution, level of education and resources, probably the most influential one is the health care system. [3] This system needs to provide solutions for the increase in CVD and for the complex phenomenon behind it, i.e. the interaction between socioeconomic features and pathophysiological features of CVD. Literature data implies that the socially underprivileged groups are exposed to more cardiovascular risk factors. …show more content…

There is substantial evidence for an inverse relation between socioeconomic status and almost all the cardiovascular disease risk factors, with the possible exception of cholesterol level. Furthermore, there is strong evidence suggesting that people with low socio-economic status are more prone to smoke and to have unhealthy dietary habits.[11] Also, it is shown that poverty in early life has a substantial effect on the development of arteriosclerosis. [11]
Regardless the approach used for defining social status or how society is organized, education has proven to be a useful tool for the measurement of the socio-economic status. Alongside other measurement instruments of social class such as income, occupation and living conditions, education has been the first choice for epidemiologists. [11] It seems that poor-living conditions, low level of education, social instability, unemployment or low income and low access to health care are strongly linked to coronary heart disease, stroke and myocardial infarction. [10]

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