News Release

Technology Can Improve Health Care for United States’
Growing Aging Population, IEEE-USA Says

WASHINGTON (6 January 2006) — The proper use of technology can improve the efficiency and quality of health care for our aging population, lower costs and perhaps improve senior citizens’ quality of life, according to a position recently adopted by IEEE-USA.

The oldest of the estimated 78.2 million baby boomers — the generation born between 1946 and 1964 — are turning 60 this year at the rate of 7,918 per day. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the United States’ over-60 population is expected to more than quadruple over the next decade, making it critical that geriatric healthcare providers take advantage of existing and emerging technologies to improve health care for this growing segment of society.

In “Addressing the Healthcare Needs of Our Aging Population with Technology,” IEEE-USA recommends, among other things, that:

• The federal government provide new incentives for more of our nation’s physicians and other healthcare professionals to specialize in geriatrics, and receive training in utilizing information, communication and remote sensing technologies to facilitate geriatric treatment.

• Medical information technologies and enhanced communications capabilities be incorporated into patient care.

• Communication standards be adopted to facilitate effective communication and information sharing by converging technologies and devices.

• The National Health Information Network (NHIN) be designed to address specific medical information needs of our aging population.

IEEE-USA in June 2004 cosponsored a symposium that focused on the role computer, communication and other electronic technologies could be used to improve the quality and cost efficiency of geriatric care. To view the presentations and final report, go to www.ieeeusa.org/calendar/conferences/geriatrictech/index.html.

Currently, of our nation’s 650,000 practicing physicians, only a little over 1 percent (6,776) are geriatricians. The Alliance for Aging Research estimates that by 2030, the United States will need about 36,000 of these practitioners. Congress recently eliminated $31.5 million in funding to train physicians and other healthcare providers in geriatric education programs.

IEEE-USA’s entire position statement, developed by its Medical Technology Policy Committee, is available at www.ieeeusa.org/policy/positions/healthcareneeds.html. IEEE-USA’s support of the NHIN is accessible at www.ieeeusa.org/policy/positions/NHIN.asp.

IEEE-USA advances the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of more than 220,000 engineers, scientists and allied professionals who are U.S. members of the IEEE. IEEE-USA is part of the IEEE, the world's largest technical professional society with 360,000 members in 150 countries. For more information, go to www.ieeeusa.org.

IEEE-USA
1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202
Washington, DC 20036-5104
Phone: 202-785-0017, Fax: 202-785-0835

Last Update:  15 May 2007
Staff Contact: Pender M. McCarter, p.mccarter@ieee.org