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“Life expectancy at age 65 today exceeds 20 years, but half of these years are impaired by chronic illnesses and disabilities,” notes the OECD. “This is particularly true for women” who certainly “live several years longer than men”, but will “live most of these additional years with health problems”, notes the report.
France is at the top of the EU for life expectancy after 65, with 21.3 years. It remains very well placed for healthy life expectancy after age 65 (11 years), even if it is far behind Sweden (13.9 years).
High obesity rate
Healthy aging requires in particular physical activity, which is not in its best form in the EU for those over 65 since only 22% of them practice sufficient physical activity according to the criteria. of the WHO (World Health Organization).
France, by the way, is a dunce for physical activity, since it “is one of the EU countries where physical activity is the lowest among all age groups of the population” , notes the OECD. “Only 15% of 11-year-old children in France were doing at least one hour of activity per day in 2021/22 (the threshold recommended by the WHO) compared to an average of 22% in the EU,” according to the report.
Among French people aged 18-64, only 28% reached the WHO threshold (two and a half hours of physical activity per week), compared to 35% on average in the EU. The rate of obesity – a risk factor for many chronic pathologies – is high in the EU, rising to 20% for people over 65.
A general healthy aging policy would be all the more welcome as it could relieve health systems everywhere under pressure, notes the OECD. It could “slow down the growth of health spending in GDP in the decades to come […] and reduce demand for health and aging support workers,” notes the report.
Lack of doctors
The staff shortage is well established in fact, with “twenty European countries reporting a shortage of doctors in 2022 and 2023, and fifteen reporting a shortage of nurses,” notes the report. In 2023, more than 40% of doctors in Norway, Ireland and Switzerland, and 50% of nurses in Ireland had been trained abroad, he points out.
In France, the lack of doctors is particularly obvious, with 3.2 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants (3.7 if we count interns), compared to 4.2 on average in the EU. The number of nurses in France, on the other hand, “was slightly higher than the European average in 2022 (8.8 per 1,000 inhabitants compared to 8.4 in the EU as a whole)”, even if it remains “much lower” to that of neighboring countries such as Germany or Italy.
Generally speaking, throughout Europe, “improving working conditions and remuneration are key factors in improving the attractiveness of the profession and succeeding in retaining its caregivers,” notes the OECD. Experts also recommend “optimizing the distribution of skills” between caregivers, for example by developing advanced practice nurses.”
In addressing the low physical activity levels among children in France, what community programs or initiatives have proven effective, and how can they be scaled up to reach more families?
Guest 1: Dr. Susan Johnson, Health Policy Expert at OECD
1. As regards the low physical activity levels among elderly individuals and children in France, what are the key factors contributing to this issue? What steps should be taken to address this problem?
Guest 2: Michelle Bernard, Director of Health Services at a French Hospital
2. The report highlights chronic illnesses and disabilities as major contributors to the reduction in healthy life expectancy after 65. How can healthcare systems better address these issues to improve outcomes for patients living with chronic conditions?
3. The report also mentions the shortage of healthcare professionals in Europe, with France facing a lack of doctors. What are the underlying causes of this shortage? What measures can be taken to attract and retain healthcare workers in the country?
4. In terms of improving working conditions and addressing burnout among healthcare professionals, what are some effective strategies that have been implemented in other countries with similar issues?
5. The OECD report recommends promoting healthy aging policies to reduce pressure on healthcare systems and financing. What specific policies or interventions can be implemented to achieve this goal?
Guest 1: Dr. Susan Johnson, Health Policy Expert at OECD
6. The report suggests that countries where physical activity is encouraged at an early age tend to have healthier populations later in life. How can policymakers promote physical activity among children and adolescents to lay the foundation for healthy aging?
Guest 2: Michelle Bernard, Director of Health Services at a French Hospital
7. Chronic illness management is a significant challenge faced by healthcare systems worldwide. What innovative approaches are being taken to manage these conditions, and how can technology be used to improve outcomes?
8. The aging population is expected to put a significant strain on healthcare systems globally. How can we balance the need for quality care with the challenges of limited resources?
9. The report highlights the importance of investing in both primary and secondary care to improve health outcomes. What specific initiatives can be implemented to improve primary care access and quality in France?
