Original Article Healthy ageing: are we ready to meet the challenge? Nateshan Bhumika, Priyanka Raj, Zile Singh, Jayanthi V, Anil Jacob Purty, Senthilvel V Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India. Corresponding Author: Dr. Nateshan Bhumika Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Ganapathychettikulam, Kalapet, Puducherry-605014. India. Tel- +91-413-2656271-3, Fax: +91-413- 2656068 E-mail: thedoctortoday@gmail.com Abstract Background: India needs to urgently address epidemiological transition and ensure healthy ageing. Objectives: To describe the burden and distribution of geriatric morbidity in resource-poor settings. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Tamil Nadu, involving 310 individuals aged = 60 years of age. A structured questionnaire administered by personal interview was followed by clinical examination. Results: Majority (62.9%) belonged to socioeconomic class IV. Males constituted 51.3%. Half of the population was economically dependent and lived in poor housing conditions, with no gender difference noted. 73.9% were illiterates and 43.9% were agricultural workers. Betel nut chewing was the commonest addiction (37.1%). Depression was noted in 64.7%. Other morbidities included dental caries (43.5%), poor vision (41.9%), anaemia (36.5%), hypotension (32.9%), hypertension (29.4%), and diabetes mellitus (22.3%).The economically dependent population had significantly greater prevalence of dental caries (50.6%), anaemia (42.6%), blindness (33.3%) and hearing impairment (19.8%) whereas predominant morbidities among economically independent subjects were poor vision (50.7%) and diabetes mellitus (31.8%). Conclusions: Depression, dental caries, poor vision and anaemia were common high-burden morbidities among the geriatric population, all of which have a large preventable component which should be integrated into the existing health infrastructure. Introduction Population ageing is one of humanity’s greatest triumphs. It is also one of our greatest challenges. Given the fact that the proportion of elderly population globally is predicted to double from 11% in 2006 to 22% by 2050 [1], India has yet to address the health concerns of its one million plus senior citizens on specific terms. Though the government has passed the National Policy for Older persons 1999, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, National Programme for Health care of the Elderly, 2010, National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011 and while some social security schemes are in place, these seem too little, too late in a nation whose elderly constitute about 9% of the population [2].