The implications of demographic and non-demographic factors for future health and long-term care costs were discussed at a stakeholder conference organised by the Commission on 21-22 February 2005.
"Understanding trends in disability among elderly populations and the implications of demographic and non-demographic factors for future health and long-term care costs" was co-organised by the Commission Working Group on Ageing and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The first day, different speakers presented European and international economic data (statistics, graphics and charts) on the following issues: health and disability among the elderly, long-term care, morbidity, life expectancy, health care costs in different countries and informal care.
The conclusions included the need to improve the validity of data on morbidity/disability among the elderly and links with health and long-term care expenditure.
During the second day, speakers studied demographic and non-demographic factors, health determinants and projections of health expenditure.
The experts tried to present the next steps on possible methodologies and data requirements to improve budgetary implications of health and long-term care.
