Sustainability and aging: A tale of two countries
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Over the next few decades, the world will experience an unprecedented aging of the population, and the United States and Thailand are no exceptions. In the U.S. older adults are expected to make up 20% of the population by 2050. Thailand is experiencing an even more rapid population aging - older adults will comprise 30% of the population by 2050. These shifting demographics reflect the great gains both countries have made in public health and sanitation, in child and maternal health, in access to health care (including contraceptives), and in treating acute and deadly health conditions. These strides in health and longevity, while good for individuals, present challenges to society, including threats to the environment. Increased life expectancy is often accompanied by higher demand for energy and resources, including intensive medical equipment and treatment and greater heating and cooling needs, among other demands, which vary between the U.S. and Thailand. As vast numbers of human beings currently subsist without secure access to basic needs, ensuring equitable resource availability for all is urgent and aligns with expectations outlined in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (i.e., “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself [sic] and of his [sic] family…”) Exploration of these issues related to aging and sustainability and the differences presented in the U.S. and Thailand may prove useful for identifying strategies that both protect the environment and promote quality of life for older adults and those who interact with them in both countries.
