Population Aging as a Global Demographic Phenomenon and its Implications for Public Health

Abstract Population aging is defined as one of the most current phenomena and challenges facing world. The WHO defines population aging as one of greatest successes of human society, resulting from reduction of mortality among elderly and their longer life expectancy in the protection of population, pharmacology, public health and promotion of healthy lifestyles. The certainty of the continuity of population aging in future continues to capture attention of the general public and initiates a whole series of open questions that will require very specific and concrete answers from each country. The aim of this paper is to review available literature to indicate the specific determinants of the elderly population, identify the challenges faced by the elderly population and indicate implications of the phenomenon of population aging. The unstoppable process of population ageing has profound consequences for health, social and economic spheres of society due to specific and very different needs of elderly population. The role of demographics, social factors, health needs and barriers as economic resources and differences in use of health services among elderly need to be systematically addressed and monitored. A well-organized health and social care system is important for improving the health of older people. Public health policy should address the diversity of health and functional conditions experienced by older people and maximize number of people who promote a positive journey of ageing. The creation and implementation of innovative strategies to improve health and quality of life of older people would enable well-being in old age.