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

• Published in: Ageing research reviews Vol. 24; no. Pt B; pp. 197 - 205
• Main Authors: Fang, Evandro Fei, Scheibye-Knudsen, Morten, Jahn, Heiko J., Li, Juan, Ling, Li, Guo, Hongwei, Zhu, Xinqiang, Preedy, Victor, Lu, Huiming, Bohr, Vilhelm A., Chan, Wai Yee, Liu, Yuanli, Ng, Tzi Bun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.11.2015; Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aging - ethnology; China - epidemiology; Chronic non-communicable diseases; Female; Geriatric care; Health Services for the Aged - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Mental health; Needs Assessment; Neurology; Pharmacological interventions; Physical exercise; Policy; Population Dynamics; Public health; Policy; Physical exercise; Geriatric care; Pharmacological interventions; Chronic non-communicable diseases; Mental health; Aging; Public health
• ISSN: 1568-1637; 1872-9649; 1872-9649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.08.003

•The elderly population in China is growing exponentially and this growth will last for decades.•The aging problem in China is expected to lead to a significant socioeconomic burden which will require a combined effort among gerontologists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and social forces.•A research agenda on the collection of public health data, diet and food safety, physical exercise, pharmacological interventions in age associated diseases, the elderly and geriatric care, and policy dialogues are potential ways to relieve the aging problem.•Increased political and financial commitments from the Chinese government are critical for achieving a research agenda on aging in China for the 21st century. 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.