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The worldwide population of older adults, aged 65 and over, is
rising rapidly, and will reach 973 million by the year 2030.
| PRESS CONTACT: Suzanne Smith, MD, MPH, MPA CDC, National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Promotion (770) 4885464 |
The population of the world is aging at an unprecedented rate, due to fertility declines and a twenty-year increase in the average life span during the second half of the 20th century. The number of adults age 65 and older worldwide is projected to increase by approximately 550 million people to 973 million from the year 2000 to the year 2030. In the US alone, the number of older people is expected to double to 70 million by 2030. These unprecedented demographic changes will place increasing demands on the public health system, medical and social services. The growing burden of chronic disease that accompanies an increasingly older population poses unique challenges to the health care system. Fortunately, there is encouraging new evidence of the benefits of prevention activities and healthy lifestyles in reducing morbidity and disability.
| PRESS CONTACT: Doug Sayers United States Navy Medical Center (619) 5329380 |
No summary available.
Health-care providers should be aware that peak periods of
coccidioidomycosis occur during the winter in Arizona.
| PRESS CONTACT: Benjamin Park, M.D. CDC, National Center for Infectious Diseases (404) 6391619 |
Arizona has experienced a substantial increase in incidence of coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), a fungal disease caused by inhalation of soil-based spores present in the southwestern US. Clinical manifestations range from an influenza-like illness, to severe pneumonia, and rarely, extrapulmonary disseminated disease. This investigation found that the increase is due to large outbreak seasons that occur in the winter (November- February). Exceptionally dry, hot, and dusty conditions are highly associated with the seasonal outbreaks in Arizona. These conditions have been recently observed in the region, suggesting this winters outbreak season may be large. Health-care professionals should consider testing for coccidioidomycosis in any patient who has recently moved or traveled to Arizona who presents with an influenza-like syndrome.
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CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z This page last reviewed February 14, 2003 Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention |
