On the occasion of European Demography Day on 4 February 2024, the new JRC study highlights the importance of healthcare and long-term care in the context of an aging European population. Long-term care refers to services and support for individuals who depend on them for daily activities due to illness, disability, or the effects of aging.
At the same time, the latest estimates from the European Cancer Information System indicate a significant increase over the next 25 years in the number of cancer cases due to expected demographic changes, particularly among the population aged 65 and older.
The number of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths among the older population is expected to rise by approximately 31% and 35% respectively, solely as a result of the aging population. This trend occurs despite advances in cancer treatment.
The researchers advocate improving the efficiency of long-term care delivery, expanding home and community-based care services, and increasing financial resources for the healthcare and social care sectors. Additionally, efforts must be made to attract more care personnel.