Key public health challenges of the Chinese elderly in a new situation

Abstract

The results of the seventh national census in 2020 show that China is facing a severe new situation with a rapid increase in the number of the elderly, a huge base of oldest old population, a rapid rise in the elderly dependency ratio, empty-nest families gradually becoming the main form of elderly families, and a further intensification of aging in the future. The elderly has prominent health problems such as decline in physical health, impairment of functional status, malnutrition and mental health, which bring a series of challenges to public health system, geriatric friendly society and geriatric health standards in China. Facing the new situation, we should find out the health status and service needs of the elderly as soon as we can, and regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of response strategies, formulate laws, regulations and policies related to the elderly at the national level, establish a well-defined, innovative and coordinated health care service and long-term care service system for the elderly, promote the wide participation of the whole society to build age-friendly environments. Oriented to the health characteristics and needs of the elderly, we should carry out trials of health protection and intervention for the elderly, strengthen scientific research and technological innovation to serve the elderly multilayered health needs, take multiple measures to improve the guarantee capacity and level of health services for the elderly, and finally actively exploring the "Chinese experience" of Chinese public health system in dealing with population aging.