Active ageing Archives

SPECIAL REPORT / With an ageing population and blindness on the rise, German ophthalmic experts are taking strides to find innovative solutions to the sight crisis looming over Europe with pioneering implant technology.

The population of France is forecast to match that of Germany – currently the largest in Western Europe – by 2055, reports Carine Fourteau of Mediapart.

Healthcare budgets constitute one of the largest chunks of public expenditure throughout the EU, and the associated industry is considered one of Europe’s success stories. Europeans consider healthcare as one of the benchmarks that sets the continent apart in terms of quality of life from other nations. But the ageing demographic, and the shock of the financial crisis have brought the contrast between Europe’s ideals and reality sharply into focus.

The European Commission’s proposals on pensions presented yesterday (16 February) by the EU employment and social affairs chief, László Andor, was met by a flurry of criticism.

Sweden's prime minister suggested recently that in future citizens might have to work until 75 before receiving pensions. Fears are widespread about the knock-on effects of the sharply ageing demographic in Europe. Leading demographer Andreas Edel argues that Europeans need to look on the bright side of a longer life.

The numbers of working Europeans between 55 and 64 has leapt by 10% in the last decade, say statistics published today on the launch of the EU’s year of active and healthy ageing.

Digital technology is contributing to innovation in healthcare more than other sectors in Europe, but the EU remains cautious in its approach to international markets in the sector, delegates to the first European Innovation Convention heard yesterday (December 5).

EU healthcare is under extreme financial pressure and important choices regarding the diseases on which we focus and the resources we allocate to their management need to be made, according to MEP Cristian Busoi. The Romanian liberal MEP has set up a new task force in the European Parliament this week to address the issue.

As eurozone governments scramble to adopt austerity measures, new research shows that doctors prescribe too many drugs and too much surgery for their patients, hampering much-needed investment in cost-cutting healthcare innovations.

Depending on where you live, your local phone company is developing technologies to check your blood pressure and sugar level, and will even remind you to take your medicine.