title: Our elderly. Who are they?
abstract: Why are today's elderly remarkable? They are the small minority who represent the survivors of Americans and immigrants born during the period 1870-1913. The mortality experience during that period shows the dramatic changes that have occurred. The future populations of the elderly are developing with an ever-increasing number of people kept alive by the mass use of vaccines, the application of new medical, surgical and psychologic diagnoses and therapies, effective antibiotics, rapid communication, proper nutrition, safe water, a high level of health insurance coverage, and available education at all levels for those who want to participate.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D009026:Mortality; D014481:United States