World Applied Sciences Journal 30 (7): 927-928, 2014 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.30.07.82124 Corresponding Author: P.J. Parameaswari, Department of Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Bharath University, 7 Works Road, Chromepet, Chennai, India 600044. Tel: +919884004778. 927 Healthy and Active Ageing P.M. Udayshankar And P.J. Parameaswari Department of Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital Bharath University, 7 Works Road, Chromepet, Chennai, India-600044 Submitted: Nov 30, 2013; Accepted: Feb 10, 2014; Published: Feb 23, 2014 INTRODUCTION India ranks 73 on GAW I and is currently home to Healthy and Active Ageing: Human Population Ageing the income security domain with a low proportion, where is transforming economies and societies across the 5% of older people have an income of less than half of world. Japan has the highest proportion of older adults the country's average income. Health domain rank of globally. 8 % of World’s population were above 65 years India is the lowest, at 85 of 91 countries with a life in 2010 and is predicted to be 16% by 2050. Decline in expectancy of another 17 years at age 60, the lowest in fertility and improvement in longevity are the factors South Asia [3]. In the employment and education domain, observed among most of the developing countries. India ranks at 73 with 20% of the population aged 60 and These countries may grow old before they grow rich. over having secondary or higher education. Unusually India’s older population will be 227million by 2050 [1]. high burden of healthcare costs is observed in India, i.e. International's Global Age Watch Index (GAWI): population. [3] based on four domains: income, health, employment Non-Communicable diseases take a heavy toll on and education and enabling environment are key adults in low-and middle-income countries accounting to enablers of older people's wellbeing. Japan ranks 10 on 90% of diseases suffered by elderly. Only 10% to 15% will GAWI, the highest in the region with high levels of be due to infectious and parasitic diseases and has led to employment and education and income security. Indeed, the ‘Epidemiological Transition Shift’. Poor nourishment all Japanese over the age of 65 receive a pension and and exposure to infectious diseases during in utero experiences the highest life expectancy in the world as and early infancy showed a strong direct bearing of those who are 60 can expect to live for another 26 years, risk factors for chronic adult diseases like CVD etc. the majority of those in good health. Early childhood malnutrition leads to diabetes, rheumatic China ranks 35 on GAW I and has the biggest fever leads to adult heart disease and a delayed physical challenges related to rapid population ageing with the growth, reduces physical and cognitive functioning in largest number of older people in the world. There have adult life [4]. been recent initiatives to extend social protection and Reduced early exposure to infectious diseases leads healthcare insurance to improve conditions for older to increase in life expectancy as per a Swedish study. Chinese people. The universal rural social pension Two studies in Latin America and in Caribbean, found recently established represents an important step for links between early diseases and later disability. Risky reducing poverty in old age, despite the relatively small Behaviour and exposure to health risk and toxic amount considered. Older people currently express a high substances during a person’s adulthood, also influence level of satisfaction with their environment, particularly ill-health in older age. Thousands of Years of Life Lost physical safety. Per 100,000 Adults Ages 60 and Older observed in over 100 million people aged 60 and above. It ranks 54 in th rd 88% of outpatient healthcare in India comprises elderly