Emerging Burden of Frail Young and Elderly Persons in Oman For whom the bell tolls?
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2012, Vol 12, Issue 2
Abstract
Recent improvements in health and an increased standard of living in Oman have led to a reduction in environment-related and infectious diseases. Now the country is experiencing an epidemiological transition characterised by a baby boom, youth bulge and increasing longevity. Common wisdom would therefore suggest that Omanis will suffer less ill health. However, a survey of literature suggests that chronic non-communicable diseases are unexpectedly becoming common. Tis is possibly fuelled by some socio-cultural patterns specifc to Oman, as well as the shortcomings of the ‘miracle’ of health and rapid modernisation. Unfortunately, such new diseases do not spare younger people; a proportion of them will need the type of care usually reserved for the elderly. In addition, due to their pervasive and refractory nature, these chronic non-communicable diseases seem impervious to the prevailing ‘cure-oriented’ health care system. Tis situation therefore calls for a paradigm shift: a health care system that goes beyond a traditional cure-orientation to provide care services for the chronically sick of all ages.
Authors and Affiliations
Hamed Al-Sinawi| Department of Behavioral Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Mohammed Al-Alawi| Medical students, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Rehab Al-Lawati| Medical students, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Ahmed Al-Harrasi| Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman, Mohammed Al-Shafaee| Departments of Family Medicine & Public Health, Samir Al-Adawi| Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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