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Review
. 2015 Nov;24(Pt B):197-205.
doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.08.003. Epub 2015 Aug 22.

A research agenda for aging in China in the 21st century

Evandro Fei Fang  1 , Morten Scheibye-Knudsen  2 , Heiko J Jahn  3 , Juan Li  4 , Li Ling  5 , Hongwei Guo  6 , Xinqiang Zhu  7 , Victor Preedy  8 , Huiming Lu  9 , Vilhelm A Bohr  10 , Wai Yee Chan  11 , Yuanli Liu  12 , Tzi Bun Ng  13
Affiliations
Review

A research agenda for aging in China in the 21st century

Evandro Fei Fang et al. Ageing Res Rev. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

China is encountering formidable healthcare challenges brought about by the problem of aging. By 2050, there will be 400 million Chinese citizens aged 65+, 150 million of whom will be 80+. The undesirable consequences of the one-child policy, rural-to-urban migration, and expansion of the population of 'empty nest' elders are eroding the traditional family care of the elders, further exacerbating the burden borne by the current public healthcare system. The challenges of geriatric care demand prompt attention by proposing strategies for improvement in several key areas. Major diseases of the elderly that need more attention include chronic non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders. We suggest the establishment of a home care-dominated geriatric care system, and a proactive role for researchers on aging in reforming geriatric care through policy dialogs. We propose ideas for preparation of the impending aging burden and the creation of a nurturing environment conducive to healthy aging in China.

Keywords: Aging; Chronic non-communicable diseases; Geriatric care; Mental health; Pharmacological interventions; Physical exercise; Policy; Public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The changing population demographics for China over time. By 2050, 26.9% of the Chinese population will be over 65 years old putting a momentous strain on the Chinese healthcare system. Horizontal bars are proportional to number of men (blue) and women (red). *For 1950, data of 5-year groups over 80 are absent, thus are shown in 80+. Data source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Aging-related demographic factors in China over time. From 1961 to 2011, the Chinese aging population expanded due to increased life expectancy and decreased fertility and death rate. References used are listed in Supplementary data.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Possible interventions to promote healthy aging in China. As exemplified in the old Chinese ‘Yin-Yang’ theory interventions that lead to healthy aging should not only be considered for the elderly population but should start at an early age. Thus, the importance of public health education and healthy behavioral interventions to the younger population, as a cost-effective way for health-care development, should be equally weighted. Sustainable scientific research, financial investments, and most powerfully political strategy should result in a positive environment for the elderly population in China, their family and the communities in which they reside.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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