Iata mai jos cuprinsul unui raport interdepartamental din 2010, care radiografiaza batranii Statelor Unite, identificand un numar de “indicatori ai calitatii vietii”…
(sursa integrala o puteti downloada de aici: http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/Main_Site/Data/2012_Documents/Docs/EntireChartbook.pdf ).
De ce ar trebui sa constituie o preocupare majora si sa avem pe propria noastra agenda publica romaneasca un asemenea subiect? Pentru ca si la noi exista un “lot de baby-boomers”, care ar incepe cu “decreteii” anului 1967 si s-ar incheia prin 1989, cand s-a “liberalizat” avortul.
Cand vor incepe sa atinga varsta de 65 de ani – adica peste 19 ani, in 2032 – va trebui sa fim pregatiti pentru “impact”.
Iata cum motiveaza, in introducere, nevoia de monitorizare si cunoastere (radiografie sincera) autorii studiului publicat in 2010: “Just last year, the oldest members of the “Baby Boom” generation (that is, Americans born between 1946 and 1964) turned 65. As has been the case since the birth of this cohort, this very large generation will bring important challenges to the systems and institutions that support and enhance American life. Although many Federal agencies provide data on aspects of older Americans’ lives, it can be difficult to fit the pieces together. Thus, it has become increasingly important for policymakers and the general public to have an accessible, easy-to-understand portrait of how older Americans fare.”
Population
Indicator 1. Number of Older Americans
Indicator 2. Racial and Ethnic Composition
Indicator 3. Marital Status
Indicator 4. Educational Attainment
Indicator 5. Living Arrangements
Indicator 6. Older Veterans
Economics
Indicator 7. Poverty
Indicator 8. Income
Indicator 9. Sources of Income
Indicator 10. Net Worth
Indicator 11. Participation in Labor Force
Indicator 12. Total Expenditures
Indicator 13. Housing Problems
Health Status
Indicator 14. Life Expectancy
Indicator 15. Mortality
Indicator 16. Chronic Health Conditions
Indicator 17. Sensory Impairments and Oral Health
Indicator 18. Respondent-Assessed Health Status
Indicator 19. Depressive Symptoms
Indicator 20. Functional Limitations
Health Risks and Behaviors
Indicator 21. Vaccinations
Indicator 22. Mammography
Indicator 23. Diet Quality
Indicator 24. Physical Activity
Indicator 25. Obesity
Indicator 26. Cigarette Smoking
Indicator 27. Air Quality
Indicator 28. Use of Time
Health Care
Indicator 29. Use of Health Care Services
Indicator 30. Health Care Expenditures
Indicator 31. Prescription Drugs
Indicator 32. Sources of Health Insurance
Indicator 33. Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditures
Indicator 34. Sources of Payment for Health Care Services
Indicator 35. Veterans’ Health Care
Indicator 36. Residential Services
Indicator 37. Personal Assistance and Equipment
Special Feature
End of Life
… Trebuie sa recunosc ca nu sunt un mare fan al americanilor. Dar avem foarte multe de invatat de la ei, si de aceea – merita respectul nostru!
Calin Diaconu 