Epidemiology of aging and its effects on the nervous system.
Aging emerges as a condition of major concern in relation to humane and economic aspects of health care for the balance of this century and future times to come. Persons in the United States older than age 65 years are expected to more than double in number between now and the year 2020. Already, one out of every five people 85 years and older in the United States is a patient in a nursing home, with neurologic diseases being responsible for the infirmity for well over half. Inherited and degenerative diseases of the nervous system are overwhelmingly a problem of aging. To solve the problem will demand the most vigorous effort and cooperation on the part of both public and private health resources.
D000375:Aging; D005060:Europe; D005544:Forecasting; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D014481:United States