Demographic Paper Essays

Demographic Paper Essays Demographic Paper Essay Demographic Paper Essay Running head: DEMOGRAPHIC PAPER Demographic Paper Gabija Nezabitauskaite University Of Phoenix Cindy Nettestad Perkins HCS/490 3/31/2011 Demographic Paper Population demographics in the United States are experiencing increasing changes that may affect health care and its practice. Changes in population demographics do bring diversity in culture, economics, religion and believes, education and social disparity. According to Yali and Revensons, (2004), â€Å"Given the current levels of social and racial disparities in health and the likelihood that these disparities will not decrease under the current health system, we presume that as the American population continues to change, these disparities will have an even greater impact on health â€Å"(pg. 147). The expansive changes in population demographics can and will affect the health care in various ways. In the following paragraphs the senior management team can become familiar with the identified targeted population, data about this population demographics, the general impact that changing demographics may have on the health care market, and the ways the changes of demographics of this particular population will affect health care. Moreover, a few keys of health related- challenges to this population will be analyzed including the care costs, the effects of chronic disease wellness program and is effects on the costs for this demographics will be discusses. Last, the senior management team can finalize their reading with the writer’s opinion about these demographics effects on marketing needs and services, and how these challenges can be addressed. Targeted population and demographics data The number of aging population is substantial increasing, particularly the ones in their oldest age, who are the highest demanders for health care consumption. The age of world’s population is increasing for a few reasons. The decline in fertility and the increased life expectancy result in increased numbers of elderly also called the â€Å"Baby Boomer Age†. Hence aged population uses the public health system and social and medical services the most, in compare to a younger population. For example, many older adults are affected by chronic diseases, have any sort of disability that leads to an increased long-term health care costs. According to CDC, (2003), â€Å"In the United States, the proportion of the population aged over 65 years is projected to increase from 12. 4% in 2000 to 19. 6% in 2030. The number of person aged over 65 years is expected to increase from approximately 35 million in 2000 to an estimated 71 million in 2030, and the number of persons aged 80 years is expected to increase from 9. 3 million in 2000 to 19. 5 million in 2030† (para. 2). States as California, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida contain the largest numbers of older population. We are experiencing the demographic change that is highly influenced by low fertility and delayed mortality rather than the other way around. Thus the result of such a change links to demographic transition impacting the worldwide age distribution. Demographic impact on the health care market Aged population has many specific demands on health care impacting the health care market. For instance, pharmaceutical companies are more concentrating on manufacturing drugs for older generation. The advertisement on TV is aiming 70 % percent more for older audience rather than younger audience. Besides drug advertisement, long-term care facilities, and insurances such as Medicare that serves only the elderly, are booming on TV, magazines, and news papers. Such demographics also affect the orthopedic market. For example, because the elderly population in the US is increasing hence there is higher incidence of musculoskeletal conditions that only happens with aging. Therefore the orthopedic occupation is becoming very important because of the high demand. Hence the health care market is focusing on targeted population that affects health care delivery and consumption. Why and how the demographics of aged population affect health care/increased health care and prescriptions, and long-term care costs Aged population will and already is impacting the health care, as it drives the health care costs up. For example, some medical statistics show, persons 65 and over consume three to five times more health care costs, that the ones who are younger than 65. According to CDC, (2003), â€Å"†¦the rapid growth in the number of older persons, coupled with continued advances in medical technology, is expected to create upward pressure on health- and long-term-care spending† (para. 8). The biggest concern of the effects on the health care is the imposed challenge associated with long- term care on families and public resources. For instance, the expenditures for long-term care are rapidly increasing, placing a burden for public financing. As of 2001, $132 billion dollars were spend for public programs including Medicaid and Medicare, of which 60% were covered by the federal government and 30 by patients and their families. Another concern in the health care industry challenging the seniors is the rise in costs for prescription drugs. One of the main reasons why the pharmaceuticals are becoming more and more expensive is the aging population and the increased use of expensive specialty medications. Chronic disease wellness program affect the costs for this demographic Chronic disease wellness programs are very important for such demographics as seniors because this group of age is increasing as proportion of the entire population and contributes to health care cost escalation. Wellness programs are necessary for the elderly because it helps to improve their wellbeing. For example, such programs include increased physical activity, healthy nutrition, elimination of smoking and alcohol consumption. Hence the issue on utilization in such programs is the elevated expenditures that reflect on reduced in-patient admissions. As mentioned above the demographics of seniors are rapidly changing, and more beneficiaries are enrolling in Medicare. As of 2011 about 46 million people are receiving benefits, by the 2030 it is estimated that about 78 million people will be enrolled. According to Coberley, Rula, and Pope (2011), â€Å"Over 95 percent of the amounts currently spent by Medicare on the nation’s senior population is consumed by beneficiaries with one or more chronic diseases. These factors, taken together and notwithstanding the reduced costs projected as a result of health care reform, have led the Medicare Trustees to estimate that the program will be insolvent by 2029† (pg. 45). Another concern that has an impact to the cost for chronic disease wellness program is the increase in overweight people who sooner or later will suffer from diabetes. Current statistics from CDC show an increase in diabetes patients from 8 per 1000 people as of 2008, to 15 per 1000 in 2050. Marketing needs and/or services needed for aged population As we discussed above, chronic disease wellness program are elevating health care costs for seniors because of a high demand for such programs. Hence a solution would be an increased marketing and services for wellness programs that would help the pre-seniors before their retirement and to prevent chronic disease or at least mellow the symptoms with a healthier life style. Therefore, marketing various wellness programs, including fitness and healthy nutrition would prevent seniors and the Medicare from costly treatment of chronic disease. For example, few studies showed that health care related expenses resulted in reduction because of the association with community based physical activity program. Hence seniors with diabetes should have a particular interest to focus on wellness programs because of the financial impact of diabetes on Medicare expenditures. Marketing needs for wellness aiming the elderly should be striving. The individual patient, the community, and society as a whole addressing these challenges The current demographic situation with the aged raises alarms about the ability of the health care system to cope with the future health care needs. This particular demographic is facing following challenges, the increased healthcare issues including chronic diseases, unstable healthcare insurance coverage, high medical expenses, and debt problems. Hence given the circumstances older people before approaching retirement could do the following to address these challenges. For instance, add special health accounts of Medicare for expenses that are not covered, eliminate the waiting period, which is two years, for disabled individuals to be covered by Medicare, and allow the elderly to enroll early helped by tax credits for low income people. Community and the whole society should focus on healthy lifestyle to prevent from chronic diseases. Public health should make available and promote fitness-based wellness programs, healthy nutrition shops including farmer’s markets, and social outdoor activities. Conclusion The discussed demographics of aged population reflect various issues in health care. The number of elderly is rapidly increasing for two reasons, lower birth rate, and higher life span. Some of the issues in health care affected by the seniors include the cost elevation of health care services, prescription drugs, and long-term care. Chronic disease wellness programs are experiencing reduced in-patient admissions, as the costs became a burden for the Medicare beneficiaries. Marketing service is highly focusing on promoting fitness-based wellness programs, and chronic disease prevention incentives. There is much what an individual, the community and the whole society can do to address the challenges that this demographic is facing. References Yali, A. M. , and Revenson, T. (2004). How changes in Population Demographics Will Impact Health Psychology: Incorporating a Broader Notion of Cultural Competence Into the Field. Retrieved from, http://web. gc. cuny. edu/Psychology/socpersonality/TAR/docs/04HowChangesinPop. pdf CDC. (2003). Public Health and Aging: Trends in Aging-United States and Worldwide. Retrieved from, cdc. gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2. htm Coberley, C. , Rula, E. , and Pope, J. (2011). Effectiveness of Health and Wellness Initiatives for Seniors. Retrieved from, healthways. com/uploadedfiles/popHealthManagement/EffectivenessofHealthWellnessForSeniors. pdf