Q.The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them?

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1. New Health Challenges Due to Increased Life Expectancy

• Surge in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and cancers are rising rapidly. According to the National Health Profile 2021, NCDs now account for over 60% of all deaths in India.
• Geriatric Care Deficit: There is a severe shortage of specialized geriatric wards, trained geriatricians, and long-term care facilities.
• Mental Health Issues: Cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's, and depression due to social isolation are increasingly common among the elderly.
• Financial and Social Vulnerability: High out-of-pocket healthcare costs, combined with a lack of universal pension coverage, make healthcare unaffordable for many elderly citizens.
• Rising Dependency Ratio: A declining fertility rate coupled with an aging population increases the economic and caregiving burden on the working-age population.

2. Steps Needed to Meet These Challenges

• Strengthen Geriatric Infrastructure: Establish dedicated geriatric departments in all public hospitals and expand training programs for healthcare professionals.
• Expand Health Insurance Coverage: Enhance Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) to cover comprehensive geriatric treatments, home-based care, and palliative services.
• Promote Preventive Health: Encourage healthy lifestyle choices, regular screenings, and physical activity through community programs like the Fit India Movement.
• Enhance Mental Health Support: Integrate geriatric mental health services into primary healthcare and establish community support groups and helplines.
• Develop Palliative and Home-Based Care: Expand home-care services and telemedicine to support bedridden elderly patients, replicating successful models like Kerala's Palliative Care Program.

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