Like other parts of the globe, World Health Day will also be observed in Pakistan on Saturday (today) to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948. Several activities have been planned to mark the day by public and private medical and educational institutions including seminars, workshops, walks etc.
According to WHO, in line with the global trends of declining death rates and increasing life spans, Pakistan is experiencing a steady rise in its elderly population. It said at present, 4.2 percent of the total population is over 65 years of age with the strong likelihood of doubling this percentage by 2025. Similarly, the current life expectancy of 65.99 years at birth will reach about 72 years by 2023.
Other emerging social and cultural transformations of declining traditional family values and extended family systems will not only further compromise the status of the older people but also pose significant health and socio-economic implications on the country as a whole, it said.
There are some medical and psychosocial aspects exclusive to the older population, however, the predominant health conditions increasingly suffered by the elderly relate to the higher disease burden including hypertension (36 percent in elderly), diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, disabilities and cancers; along with significant infectious diseases. Likewise 60 percent deaths due to diabetes, 59 percent due to cardiovascular diseases and 29 percent due to cancers occur among old people above 60 years.
WHO said, in Pakistan 54 percent of men and 20 percent of women use different forms of tobacco. With limited physical exercise and unhealthy behaviours can lead to serious diseases such as hypertension, cancers etc. Simple preventive measures and healthy life style changes such as walking, physical activities, good balanced diet and refraining from risky habits including smoking and other tobacco substances can save hundreds of lives, prevent disability and improve quality of life of old people.