Environmental Factors That Contribute To Longevity

Submitted By Amiel1204
Words: 793
Pages: 4

In the U.S., the population that is aged 65yrs is expected to increase from 12.4% in 2000 to about 19% in 2030. Which this would mean that currently the numbers are around 35 million and in 2030 it will reach to about 71 million people aged at 65yrs. The world is experiencing a gradual demographic transition from patterns high fertility and high death rates to low fertility and delayed mortality. Most of these factors are contributed to the interventions of medical care. Due to an increase of people there is also an increase of disease and infection. Leading causes of death in developed countries were primarily cancer and cardiovascular diseases, followed by injuries and respiratory diseases. The environmental factors that contribute to longevity are clean air, potable water, nutritious food, and safe places live. Our technological advances in agriculture, sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene have had a greater impact on health than our medical technology. But, promotions towards health and extension of human life can have adverse effects on the environment. For example, food production can cause environmental damage from pesticides, soil salinization, and waste produced by livestock, and overfishing. In some cases it may be necessary to damage the environment. For example, malaria was eradicated during 40’s and 50’s due to draining wetlands and spraying DDT to kill mosquitos. The ageing population will have to focus on chronic illnesses like, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and osteoporosis, rather than acute illnesses. First off, instead using one time interventions to cure illnesses to the ongoing management of multiple diseases and disabilities; doctors and patients will have a relationship designed to help them cope with illnesses rather than curing them. Secondly, with these chronic illnesses often comes disability, meaning that long-term care services will become much more important. Thirdly, new ways will be needed to integrate medical and long-term care services, which in the U.S.; it will be difficult feat to accomplish due to fragmentation of financing and delivery systems. There are some ways to reduce health complications with an ageing society such as, Environmental and policy approaches that help the elderly make healthier choices, such as exercising regularly and not smoking. Another key goal would be to assess and monitor the burden of cognitive impairment so that the local and state officials can set policies and strategies to improve or better help people with cognitive impairment. Mental health is another challenge that we need to focus on as well, especially in older adults. Progress is already being made with this issue as it helped develop community- based screening and treatment programs for people that show signs of depression. We also need to provide a better understanding for serious illnesses so that we can make a better care plan to either help patients cope with their illnesses or even to further research for possible cures for these “non-curable” diseases. Childhood “at risk for overweight” and overweight were defined as the 85th and 95th percentiles of BMI (Body Mass Index). Adult obesity has in from 16% to 32% in 2004. As of now, 66% of adults are overweight or obese and 16% of children and adolescents are overweight and 34% are at risk of becoming overweight. By 2015, 75% of adults will be overweight or obese, and 41% will be