The first, on demographic trends, summarizes key characteristics of the elderly population in various parts of the world, discusses the current and projected size of the elderly population and describes changes in life expectancy over the past four years. A profile of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly is provided in the second section, which uses time-trend data on mortality in 40 countries and territories to assess the global burden of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, discuss trends and their possible explanations, and identify the most important cardiovascular diseases in this age group. Eight principal risk factors are identified and discussed. Data reviewed also refute the widespread perception that risk factors for cardiovascular disease, especially serum cholesterol, lose their predictive value for older people. The third and most extensive section assesses specific interventions for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in elderly people and compares their feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Emphasis is placed on lifestyle approaches and on the medical management of risk factors.
A discussion of the population and high-risk approaches as they pertain to elderly people is followed by a review of evidence that strategies for preventing hypertension,coronary heart disease and stroke can be effective in the elderly. The remaining sections discuss opportunities for rehabilitation and establish guidelines for the development of health policies aimed at the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. Arguing that age in itself should not be a barrier to promoting health and postponing disease and disability, the report concludes that the problem of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly should be given higher priority, supported by more research designed to identify the most feasible and cost-effective preventive interventions. This book records the papers and discussions of an international conference convened to consider how bioethics and human rights can be applied in socio-economic development aimed at a more equitable distribution of resources and privileges. The conference, which was attended by leading experts in ethics, health legislation and human rights, gave particular attention to poverty and vulnerability as fundamental human conditions that should become central concerns of bioethics at the global level.