Baby Boomers and the Healthcare Crisis Research Paper

Baby Boomer and Health Care Crisis

Baby boomers and healthcare

Baby boomers and the health care

As the United States continues to grapple with the growing rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, the aging population may continue to signal a health care crisis. Therefore, this is really important time for Americans to consider these demographic changes as well as the health and behavior outcome for this population. One of the United Health Foundation's senior advisors, Rhonda Randall, explains that if we do not measure it, we will not be able to know what to do about it.

It is projected that as the Baby Boomer generation starts to enter their senior years, these demographic shifts may pose a serious drain on the United States' health resources, (Alex Egervary, 2008). Already seniors tend to consume more health care as compared to the younger Americans, and moreover, the expectation is that Baby Boomers are to be sicker and live longer as compared to the previous generations.

According to reports out of the analysis done to multiple sources of government data, about 8 out of 10 seniors are by now living a life of at least one chronic health condition. Majority of these health issues are associated with the ongoing struggle by our nation towards obesity. It is estimated that 25% of seniors are obese, 20% of them are diabetes, as well as a figure more than 70% are suffering from heart disease. Just like between 1995 to 2010, obesity rates among the aged 50 to 64 had increased by 8%, the coming generation of seniors experienced higher rates as compared to the current seniors.

South have been largely associated with the worst health outcomes for seniors, where seniors have been more probable to live in poverty and do not find access to the health treatment they need. For these health issues for aging population to be treated it does not seem to be cheap, (Soliant Health, 2010). The population who are over 65 tend to spent three to five times more towards their health care as compared to adult population who are younger than 65, seemingly this demographic sector might explode as Baby Boomers goes on to be of age. Reaching 2030 when the whole Baby Boomer generation will be turning to 65, the seniors will be by then forming one-fourth of the whole population. Yet, due to the fact that medical advances are currently giving the American the opportunity of living longer, out of these senior 5.8 million of these seniors are projected to be older than 85.

The findings of the United Health foundation confirmed what the…