Report Alleges Ageism in U.S. Health Care System

Washington

Elderly Americans get short shrift when it comes to the quality of their health care, according to the non-profit Alliance for Aging Research.

The Alliance May 19 released a report, titled “Ageism: How Healthcare Fails the Elderly,” at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Citing recent scientific research, the Alliance alleged that older Americans — those 65 and older — are less likely than other groups to receive preventive treatment or health care screenings, and often are excluded from clinical trials for pharmaceutical therapies.

To combat these discrepancies, the Alliance recommended that:

• doctors, nurses and other allied health providers receive training in geriatrics as part of their formal education;
• researchers study the benefits to older people of health screening and preventive measures; and
• Congress and health agencies raise awareness of the availability of clinical trials.

“By 2003, almost one in four of the entire population of the United States will be [over the age of 65,” said David Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research.

“Ageist assumptions that distort the quality of health care for such a large and growing group hurt everyone, because they lead to premature loss of independence on a giant scale, and they increase mortality, disability and depression in older adults who might otherwise lead productive, satisfying and healthier lives.”

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