ABSTRACT
In 1950 one in twelve Americans was over 60 years old; according
to the Pew Research Center, by 2050 this ratio is expected to rise
to one in five. Other developed countries are showing similar trends,
with an associated increase in the prevalence of chronic pathologies,
as such conditions are obviously age related [1]. In the U.S. only
those diseases are already responsible for two-thirds of all direct
healthcare costs. Those concerns do not affect richer economies
only, as even developing countries are facing similar trends, if not in
terms of an aging population, then at least in terms of an increase in
the prevalence of such chronic conditions, in addition to the illnesses
they are accustomed to treating.
