Forecasting the Health Transition and Medical Expenditure of the Future Elderly in China: A Longitudinal Study Based on Markov Chain and Two Part Model

Set in the rapid development of population aging, this study focuses on the relationship between health and medical expenditure of the elderly population. Taking the health and medical expenditure of the elderly as the research object, this study analyzes the characteristics and the intrinsic relationship between them. Based on the future elderly model, this study calculates the transition probability of the elderly's self-assessment health state using the Health Transition Model and estimates the medical expenditure of the elderly by the Two-Part Model. Based on the above, this study predicts the trend of the population size and medical expenditure of the elderly in the next 15 years (2020–2035). Based on the results, the policy suggestions are put forward. To begin with, strengthening health management and health services for the elderly in the construction of healthy China. Next, building a comprehensive system of health care for the elderly in government, society, family, and individual. Then, establishing a long-term care service system as soon as possible. In addition, it is better to establish lifelong health consciousness and cultivate healthy accomplishment behavior. Finally, it is necessary to promote gender mainstreaming in the health field.

HEALTH, POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

This book focuses on the role of several factors in health transition in Asia with India being in the centre. with India being in the centre. The book highlights the social, political, economic issues and their implications on the health of the people. It looks at the health transition broadly with the comparative assessment of the performance of developed and developing countries

The Health Status Transition and Medical Expenditure Evaluation of Elderly Population in China

(1) Background: Because of the rapid expansion of the aging population in China, their health status transition and future medical expenditure have received increasing attention. This paper analyzes the health transition of the elderly and how their health transition impacts medical expenditures. At the same time, feasible policy suggestions are provided to respond to the rising medical expenditure and the demand for social care. (2) Methods: The data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015 and analyzed using the Markov model and the Two-Part model (TPM) to forecast the size of the elderly population and their medical expenditures for the period 2020–2060. (3) Results: The study indicates that: (1) for the elderly with a mild disability, the probability of their health improvement is high; in contrast, for the elderly with a moderate or severe disability, their health deterioration is almost certain; (2) the frequency of the diagnosis and treatments of the elderly is closely related to their health status and medical expenditure; alternatively, as the health status deteriorates, the intensity of the elderly individuals’ acceptance of their diagnosis and treatment increases, and so does the medical expense; (3) the population of the elderly with mild and moderate disability demonstrates an inverted “U”-shape, which reaches a peak around 2048, whereas the elderly with severe disability show linear growth, being the target group for health care; (4) with the population increase of the elderly who have severe disability, the medical expenditure increases significantly and poses a huge threat to medical service supply. Conclusions: It is necessary to provide classified and targeted health care according to the health status of the elderly. In addition, improving the level of medical insurance, establishing a mechanism for sharing medical expenditure, and adjusting the basic demographic structure are all important policy choices.

Digital Health Transition in Rheumatology: A Qualitative Study

The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic changes in the management of patients with rheumatic diseases. Due to the imminent risk of infection, monitoring intervals of rheumatic patients have prolonged. The aim of this study is to present insights from patients, rheumatologists, and digital product developers on the ongoing digital health transition in rheumatology. A qualitative and participatory semi-structured fishbowl approach was conducted to gain detailed insights from a total of 476 participants. The main findings show that digital health and remote care are generally welcomed by the participants. Five key themes emerged from the qualitative content analysis: (1) digital rheumatology use cases, (2) user descriptions, (3) adaptation to different environments of rheumatology care, and (4) potentials of and (5) barriers to digital rheumatology implementation. Codes were scaled by positive and negative ratings as well as on micro, meso, and macro levels. A main recommendation resulting from the insights is that both patients and rheumatologists need more information and education to successfully implement digital health tools into clinical routine.

Can We Enable Digital Transition in Healthcare Delivery?

Implementing digital health transition is challenging. Whilst technology progresses rapidly, the appropriation of innovation in healthcare is slower and has to deal with the local context. This is the case with Piedmont, an Italian region where in the last decade a number of telemedicine projects have been launched. In order to assess their implementation a survey has been recently conducted by the regional Health Department. This work builds upon the results of this investigation. The conceptual approach underlying the survey is illustrated and the main findings of the investigation discussed. To examine the regional situation, a notion of telemedicine maturity model is used. By making it explicit the main dimensions entailed in developing an ehealth service, its application can facilitate the digital health transition in the region. A core argument is that to handle the complexity of ehealth projects a collaborative environment for exchanging health knowledge should be implemented.