[Aging of the Polish population and its effect on the health care system in Poland].
The aim of the paper is presentation of the issue of increase in number of older population and the influence of this phenomenon on functioning of health service in Poland. The material comprised statistical data concerning age structure of the Polish population and demographic prognoses for the next decades, elaborated by the Main Statistical Office (GUS). The percentage of children and adolescents will decrease according to prognosis from 28% in 2000 to about 21% in 2030. The population of adults at the age from 20 to 44 years, will diminish by about 3 million and its percentage will decrease to about 29%. Population at the age of 45-65 will reach this level. The highest rise in number and percentage will concern the population over 65 years of age. The extension of the length of life in Poland will be maintained. The life expectancy for women will be 84.3 years, and 78.0 years for men in 2050. Due to this fact in 2030 every fourth women in our society will reach 65 years of age. On the basis of these prognoses it is indispensable to plan restructuring of hospitals in order to increase the number of geriatric, nursing and day-care wards. The increase in number of the elderly citizens will impose changes in structure of employment in order to secure appropriate medical and nursing staff adequately trained for treatment and care of this age group.
Katedry i Zakładu Epidemiologii, Akademii Medycznej w Lublinie. kalpaw@eskulap.am.lublin.pl
Paweł
P
Kalinowski
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011157:Population Dynamics