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What's New? July 9, 2012 |
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Pension | Health | Elder Rights | Aging Watch US
The
Pension Bubble (June 29, 2012)
With the
housing market collapse and the
European debt crisis, another
financial disaster looms. Recently
the Governmental Accounting
Standards board highlighted the
reality of mismanagement of state
and local government pension
programs. It reported on a $1.38
trillion gap between the assets
states have set aside for retirement
payments and health care programs
compared to the amount of their
obligations to retirees. Without
changes, many State and local
governments will find themselves
filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. At
the same time, these gaps likely
cannot be resolved without cuts in
benefits or increases in taxes. US
elected officials need to realize
that the government must act before
the entire system collapses.
WORLD South Korea: South Korea's Aging Society Could Burst Housing Bubble (June 26, 2012) In South Korea, the percentage of working-age population peaked this year at 73.1 percent and will start to decrease beginning next year. The population bonus that South Korea has been enjoying thus far will become an aging wave of baby boomers. The Hyundai Research Institute warns that this development could burst the housing bubble and trigger a financial crisis as has happened in other countries. It recommends that laws and regulations be changed to reflect the changing demographics. China: Retirement Age Remains Unchanged for Now (June 25, 2012) For decades, the retirement ages for men and women in China have been set at 60 years for men and 50 or 55 years for women. A recent proposal by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security to postpone retirement has sparked so much controversy that the Ministry announced that retirement ages will remain unchanged for now. China faces a pension shortfall and this debt could be alleviated if retirement is postponed. White collar workers support the proposal but blue collar workers do not. Blue collar workers usually have unstable and harsher work conditions. When they get retrenched, they still have to pay into their pension plans even though they have no income sources. Citizens are also against the dual-tracked system in which the government pays the share of personal contributions for civil servants but others have to pay out of their salaries.
In Documents on Pain Drug, Signs of Doubt and Deception (June 24, 2012) Researchers have found that Celebrex, a drug, is no better at protecting the stomach from side effects than other drugs. However, Pfizer and its partner, Pharmacia, put forth results from only the first six months of a yearlong study. The primary selling point was its effect on the stomach. Surprisingly, earlier studies revealed it was no better at alleviating pain than most common drugs such as ibuprofen. This apparent falsification of data is of great concern to older persons and their advocates. When will such corporate corruption stop? HIV Crisis Facing Black Women in Metro Atlanta (May 9, 2012) Nearly one in 30 African-American women is diagnosed with HIV during her life time. This number is 15 times higher than Caucasian women and four percent higher than Hispanic women. While studies show that race has nothing to do with the issue, the problem is being traced back to countries in Africa.
WORLD
Aging
Eyes are Seeing Better (June 29, 2012)
According to a study in Ophthalmology journal, older persons are seeing much better. Advances in cataract surgery, smoking reduction and better treatment for diabetes have contributed to this trend. Regardless, regular eye exams are essential for everyone as they age and should be maintained. Spain: The First Edition of the “Manual of the Geriatric Medical Resident” Was Announced (June 7, 2012) (Article in Spanish) The 54th Congress of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (54 Congreso de la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología) and the 24th Congress of the Galician Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (24 Congreso da Sociedade Galega de Xerontología y Xeriatría) announced the manual. It begins with three principal sections: a section that explores the value of geriatrics as a field of study, a section revising the levels of healthcare provided, and a section about key syndromes. Barbodas: HIV Prevention Strategies Needed for Elderly (June 4, 2012) Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackette, calls to attention the older persons who are “potentially at risk of HIV infection.” After an older person is out of the child bearing age, they stop practicing safe sex and thus they have a higher chance of getting STIs. It Is important to prevent and educate the elderly about the dangers of HIV/AIDS before we have to face the consequences at a global scale. World: The War on Drugs and HIV/AIDS: How the Criminalization of Drug Use Fuels the Global Pandemic (June 2012) The Global Commission on Drug Policy describes that forms of drug law enforcement that both fail to decrease rates of drug use and block provision of HIV treatment. The report includes a summary of recommendations and details issues within law enforcement that exacerbate the HIV epidemic. World: HIV Infection Double Among the Elderly (February 3, 2012) Researchers are suggesting that it is vital to promote safe sex for sexually active adults aged 45+. Statistics show that about 80% of 50-90 year olds are sexually active, thus the number of sexually transmitted diseases has doubled in the past 10 years. While the reason behind this seems undiscovered, the reason is based on the fact that post-menopausal women are more vulnerable to STIs. World: Elderly Children in the Care of their Parents, A Recent Phenomenon (2012) (Article in Spanish) According to a Chilean study, young-old children are caring for their old-old parents in increasing numbers. This investigation explores the challenges and the situations that the children face. China: China Elderly Facing HIV/AIDS Crisis (November 30, 2011) Prostitution accounts for much of
the problems with HIV and AIDS. While most
people target middle aged men as primary
victims, the older population is ignored. An
example lies in Wuhan, China, when an old
widower was diagnosed with AIDS. As
living conditions in China are rapidly
improving, and the senior population is
increasing, aged men can now fulfill their
sexual needs in the absence of a
partner. This vital issue affects
older people who are elderly who are
disposed to having medical conditions.
We must target HIV/AIDS awareness in the
senior population.
Ten Resources to Help Prepare for Aging With Dignity and Independence (June 29, 2012) As people age, they will need some form of help with daily activities such as cooking, transportation and even health care. Consider the resources of your community, especially in terms of available resources. However, knowing about standard resources that are available to all and being aware will allow you to be prepared for special needs in old age. Read further to research more into these options. China:
China mulls amending law to protect seniors
(June 26, 2012) World:
Older Adults Have a Right to Sex (June 28,
2012)
General Segment:
Draft Programme (2012)
A
substantive session of the UN is
composed of five segments: the
High-level Segment; the Coordination
Segment; the Operational Activities
Segment; the Humanitarian Affairs
Segment; and the General
Segment. The General Segment
will discuss nine agenda items
relating to the work of the UN in
the field of development.
Three main types of discussions will
occur: the review of the reports of
the Council’s subsidiary and expert
bodies, the system-wide coordination
and review of specific development
issues, and special country or
regional issues.
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