Australia’s ageing population challenge
17 November 2011
2011 is the year the first of the baby boomers hit 65 and signals a start to an expected tsunami of unprecedented demands for health services in Australia
The Facts:
- 2011. The first baby boomers turn 65.
- Between now and 2050 the number of older people (65–84) will more than double.
- And the number of very old people (85 and over) will more than quadruple, from 0.4million today to 1.8 million in 2050.
- During that period, real health spending on people aged over 65 will increase seven-fold and spending on those aged over 85 years will increase around twelve-fold.
- As our population ages there will be more pressure on our health system to deliver more medical services and pharmaceuticals and new technologies and drugs.
The Ageing Population Challenge
The Private Healthcare sector wants to help Government control costs.
By working with Government we can:
- Ensure Australians have access to the best available treatments and the safest and most effective prostheses.
- Help get people in and out of hospital as quickly as possible to improve quality of life.
- Help limit waste.
- Help keep health expenditure sustainable
Prevention is better. Simple!
One way of tackling Australia’s ageing population challenge is to act now to prevent ill health.
That’s why the Private Healthcare industry is actively encouraging its members to adopt healthy lifestyles and to take their own preventative health measures so that they can enjoy a better quality life – with fewer health
problems – as they age.
Not only does this lead to a better quality life for our members, it also costs far less for everyone else concerned.
That’s why every heart attack that can be avoided, thwarted or delayed is best for everyone concerned.
It’s the best outcome and it costs governments less, it costs taxpayers less, it costs the health industry less, it costs patients less.
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