Aging Population in India: The HealthSystem Role of Traditional Medicine

Special Articles / Unnikrishnan Payyappallimana / Old Age in an Indifferent Society

India has experienced a major demographic transition in the past few decades resulting in a substantial increase in the aged population. Consequently there is increasing burden on the health system. Neither the current healthcare infrastructure nor the professional capacity is equipped to handle this situation. This is further challenged by the fact that there is no social security system in the country and over 80 percent of the health care is accessed through out of pocket expenditure. Changing social support systems, rapid urbanization, deteriorating environment further complicate the situation.

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