NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 29–Carol Raphael, MPA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Visiting Nurse Service of New York shared some innovative ideas on how to reinvent the healthcare system in light of the rapidly increasing aging population at the 2008 Duncan W. Clark lecture held at the Academy Jan. 28.

“It is predicted by 2030 that there will be nearly as many people 65 and older as there will be children under the age of 5,” explained Raphael. “The last census in 2000 determined that the 35 million people in the aging population, will increase to 71 million, and in New York City alone, there will be 1.4 million people over the age of 65.”

Ms. Raphael presented healthcare reinvention considering six words – broaden, expand, integrate, rebalance, support and family.

“Jonathan Swift said, “everybody wants to life forever, but nobody wants to grow old.” I say we have to change it, so that all of us no longer want to live forever, and none of us dread or deny what can be a very positive experience of aging,” said Ms. Raphael. “With a little tune up or overhaul of the healthcare system, I think this is possible.”

Ms. Raphael’s timely presentation echoed the emphasis of Mayor Bloomberg’s recent city address in which he announced New York City’s All Ages Project, building upon the Academy’s Age-Friendly NYC initiative, in partnership with City Council. Guided by a protocol developed by the World Health Organization, the initiative will assess the city’s age-friendliness in eight key areas from housing to transportation. In the spring a blueprint for improvement will be presented as recommendations for policy makers.

Founded in 1847, The New York Academy of Medicine is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit institution whose mission is to enhance the health of the public. Our research, education, community engagement, and evidence-based advocacy seek to improve the health of people living in cities, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The impact of these initiatives reaches into neighborhoods in New York City, across the country, and around the world. We work with community based organizations, academic institutions, corporations, the media, and government to catalyze and contribute to changes that promote health. Visit us online at www.nyam.org.

Posted on 02/04/2008

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