Active aging: a medical student's perspective

ABSTRACT

This presentation aims to look at promoting active aging from a life course perspective. The study is based on literature review and incorporates views from the World Health Organisation Aging and Health Policy, other experts in the field and from the authors. Stastitics indicate that the year 2025 over 10 percent of the population of most Caribbean countries will be over 70 years old. The current life expectancy at birth in Jamaica and most Caribbean countries is over 72 years for both males and females. This increase in life expectancy has occurred largely due to increased access to, and qualify of, medical care, the increased use of antibiotics, better environmental health, and education. These have all significantly contributed to a decrease in the spread of communicable diseases. The present and future health care professional must understand that active aging is the only way to improve the quality of longevity. This presentation looks at strategies to promote active aging from a life course perspective. This is based on a proactive approach which incorporates educational programmes which focus on all aspects of life and encourage the individual to realize that healthy lifestyles from an early age have lifetime benefits. The teachings of geriatic medicine in medical schools, as well as social and corporate policy and community involvement, are also important aspects of the active aging approach. CONCLUSION: Healthy children have a much greater probability of becoming healthy adults, and healthy older people. It is imperative that this life course perspective of aging be encouraged so that life can be added to the years, even as years are being added to life.(Au)