人口出生率、婴儿死亡率和传染病死亡率的下降,引起老龄人口的不断增加。这种趋势起始于发达国家,而后以不同速度扩展到其他大多数国家,老龄人口的数量和比例都在不断升高。这种人口的转变对经济和社会组织产生了深刻的影响。这种影响继续扩大,在本世纪末将成为全球性问题。因为不仅人口在老化,而且衰弱和高龄老人的比例也加大。人口老化的原因和后果是多方面的,而且错综复杂,需要运用多学科的方法去探讨。近年来,老年医学研究呈指数上升,文 The decline in the birth rate, infant mortality rate, and communicable disease death rate has caused an increase in the elderly population. This trend started in developed countries and then spread to other countries at different speeds. The number and proportion of elderly people are constantly rising. This demographic transition has had a profound effect on economic and social organizations. This influence continues to expand and will become a global issue at the end of this century. This is because not only the population is aging, but also the proportion of debilitated and elderly people is increasing. The causes and consequences of the ageing of the population are manifold and complex, requiring multidisciplinary approaches. In recent years, research in geriatric medicine has increased exponentially.