ABSTRACT
Demographic ageing has been a much more rapid process in all world regions than anticipated, with the population aged 60 and over increasing at the fastest pace ever in developing countries (World Population Prospects, 2003). Globally, the numbers and proportion of older people are sharply increasing. In 2012, 23% of the population in high income countries was aged 60 years or over, and this is predicted to increase to 32% by 2050. is proportion in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) was just 9% in 2012 but will be more than double by 2050, reaching 19%. Currently, 66% of the world’s older population live in LMIC, and by 2050, 79% will do so (World Population Prospects, 2013). Chronic non-communicable diseases, which have been under-prioritized in the public health agenda for a long time, are now assuming a greater signicance in LMIC.
