’More and more people need long-term medical care’

The growing number of older people means that healthcare services are in greater demand. WWU - gucc Since statistical records began to be kept at the end of the 19th century, the life expectancy of new-born babies has more than doubled. The most important reasons for this are not only improvements in the fields of hygiene, food and housing, but also better working conditions, higher levels of prosperity and improved medical care. The growing number of older people in Germany means that healthcare services are in greater demand. This also has consequences for social security systems and medical care. "Demographic change has a central impact on our health service. An increasing number of people need long-term medical care," explains Prof. André Karch, deputy director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine at the University of Münster.