In a groundbreaking annual report released on November 10, 2023, England’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Chris Whitty, highlights a critical issue that successive governments and professional bodies have overlooked—the concentration of the older population in specific geographical areas. While the extension of life expectancy is a testament to advances in medicine and public health, the challenge lies in expanding the period of health and independence for older citizens.
Rising Multimorbidity Demands a Paradigm Shift
The report emphasizes the prevalence of multimorbidity, where individuals experience multiple health conditions simultaneously. Professor Whitty calls for a transformation in medical training, NHS services, and research to address this complex reality. Rather than focusing solely on disease management, the key objective should be maximizing independence and minimizing time spent in ill health as individuals age.
Strategic Approaches to Maintain Independence
Professor Whitty outlines two overarching strategies to preserve the independence of older individuals:
- Disease Reduction: Efforts should concentrate on preventing, delaying, or minimizing disabilities and frailty associated with age-related conditions.
- Environmental Changes: Altering the environment to facilitate longer independence for older individuals is crucial. Recognizing the existing geographical skew of older age towards rural and peripheral areas, the report advocates tailoring efforts to regions where the need will be most significant.
Underserved Older Population: A Call for Action
The report sheds light on the current underservice of older people in healthcare, citing issues such as inaccessible transportation and insufficient infrastructure, including housing. Professor Whitty urges a prioritized focus on providing suitable services and environments for older adults, particularly in areas where the concentration of older citizens is high.
Accelerated Research and a Plea for Generalist Skills
Professor Whitty’s report calls for an acceleration of research into multimorbidity, frailty, and social care. It advocates maintaining generalist skills among medical professionals, emphasizing the disconnect between the increasing specialization of the medical field and the varied health states older adults often experience.
Voices Echoing the Call for Change
Leaders in public health, ageing, and medicine echo Professor Whitty’s call for change. Greg Fell, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, emphasizes the need to create healthy spaces and places for people to thrive. Professor Dame Carol Black, Chair of the Centre for Ageing Better, highlights the diversity of challenges faced by older generations and the importance of addressing inequalities in health, work, and housing.
A Defining Challenge of the 21st Century
Professor Dame Linda Partridge from The Royal Society stresses that supporting an ageing population is a defining challenge, with geroscience offering promising avenues for managing age-related diseases. Dr. Sarah Clarke, President of the Royal College of Physicians, emphasizes the importance of generalist skills and collaboration across healthcare sectors.
Seizing the Opportunity: A Call to Action
In conclusion, Professor Adam Gordon, President of the British Geriatrics Society, sees the ageing population as both an opportunity and a challenge. He aligns with Professor Whitty’s call to recognize this as a major national priority, urging proactive measures to enable older people to live healthy, independent lives for as long as possible.
As England’s Chief Medical Officer charts a course for change, the collective voices of professionals across disciplines underscore the urgency and importance of addressing the unique healthcare needs of an ageing population. The time to act is now.