Written question asked by Mike Weatherley (Conservative) on Monday, 9 December 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 December 2013 (named day). It was answered by Jane Ellison (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 December 2013 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Health Services: Older People

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment Public Health England has made of (a) the effect of an aging population on prevalence of disease and (b) the consequent public health challenges.

Answer

Although Public Health England (PHE) has made no new, specific assessment of the effect of an aging population on the prevalence of disease, it has developed disease prevalence models showing the levels of different diseases for various age groups for each local authority area. For example the diabetes model specifically examines the impact of age on prevalence, projecting this into the future. The Global Burden of Disease—co-authored by PHE—shows how the prevalence of all of the most common diseases vary by age at a national level.

In addition, PHE is commissioning a piece of work to model the future prevalence of disease which will include predictions of population aging.

The key public health challenges that will be faced as a result of the aging population are not dramatically different from current issues. Continued improvement

and expansion of prevention programmes will be necessary to maximise impact upon, and amelioration of, the increased burden of disease we can expect to see.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 179028; 572 cc354-5W
Session: 2013-14
Subjects: Health services Diseases Older people
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Health Services: Older People

Secondary information

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