The Trend of Age Distribution in WHO’s EMRO countries during the Last Three Decades (۱۹۸۰-۲۰۱۰) and its Future Health Policy Requirements

Introduction: Investigation trend of age distribution can be helpful for policymakers to predict the potential challenges of health care systems in order to improve responsibilities to future health needs. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the trend of age distribution in the EMRO region in order to determine future health policy requirements. Methods: This study was conducted in ۲۰۱۳ using the general population data of ۲۳ EMR (Eastern Mediterranean Region) countries during the last three decades (۱۹۸۱-۱۹۹۰, ۱۹۹۱-۲۰۰۰ and ۲۰۰۱-۲۰۱۰). Data included ۳ main age groups: percentage of ۰-۱۴ year olds, ۱۵-۶۴ year olds and ۶۵ and above year old population from the total population. The Descriptive statistics were used to study the growth of each age group by using the Excell۲۰۰۷ Software. Results: The percentage of children in all EMRO countries (exempt Afghanistan and Somalia) have considerably decreased during the last three decades. On the other hand, in most (۱۷ from ۲۳) EMRO countries, the percentage of the elderly have considerably increased during the last three decades. Conclusion: The region is going to be an old and elderly population therefore health care systems should be ready to response to this age groups’ health needs. Future studies needs to clarify the old ages health needs such as diet, sport, health facilities and education.

کلیدواژه ها:

Age Distribution ، EMRO ، health policy