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Demographic Perspectives

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Geriatric Medicine

Abstract

In the United States during the Twentieth Century, the number and proportion of older persons have increased substantially (see Figure 1-1). In 1900, there were 3 million persons over 65 years of age, which represented 4% of the total population. Elderly persons totalled 9 million or 7% of the population in 1940, and 24 million or 11% of the population in 1980. The United States Census Bureau estimates that elderly persons will number 57 million or 17% of the total population by 2030. The aging of the American population has significance for every facet of our culture. Dr. Robert Butler has ranked population aging as second only to the prevention of nuclear war as the world’s most pressing social issue.1 The aging of our population has particular significance for the health care profession. Elderly persons have more illnesses, use more health and medical care services, and are more likely to die than other age groups.

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Authors
  1. David Watts M.D.
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  2. Michael McCally M.D., Ph.D.
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geriatrics, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, New York, 10029, USA

    Christine K. Cassel M.D.

  2. Section of Geriatric Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA

    John Richard Walsh M.D.

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© 1984 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Watts, D., McCally, M. (1984). Demographic Perspectives. In: Cassel, C.K., Walsh, J.R. (eds) Geriatric Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5232-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5232-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9749-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-5232-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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