189814 Public health policy in the aging society

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 10:30 AM

Guey-Ing Day, PhD , Bureau of Planning, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan is now one of the fastest-aging countries in Asia with a 10.08% of elderly population aged 65 years and over. Population ageing is accompanied by an increase in the burden of chronic diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary and ageing-associated mental health conditions.

Taiwan DOH has taken major public health policies to meet the challenges. Early detection, appropriate intervention, management and follow-up of chronic conditions take place mainly at the health station and clinics level.

Bureau of Health Promotion in Taiwan concentrates efforts on life-long health promotion and disease prevention activities to prevent or delay the onset of non-communicable and chronic diseases. We has carried out oral health education policies to decrease the risk of oral diseases and tooth loss due to the process of aging.

In order to achieve the ultimate goal of healthy ageing and active ageing, the Executive Yuan in Taiwan is set to launch a 10-year project that is organized to construct a long-term care system, providing consistent care, and ensuring long-term care quality. The DOH enacts policies and strategies that provide a continuum of care for people with chronic illness or disabilities; providing training and education to formal and informal carers.

In addition, we have passed a National Pension Act to improving senior citizens' life and dignity, and building up a mutual help community.

Promise the people a healthy and safe life is the vision of Department of Health in Taiwan.

Learning Objectives:
To list four public health policies in Taiwan that helpful to people to achieve the goal of healthy ageing and active ageing.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as director in Bureau of Planning Department of Health, Taiwan.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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