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Orthopaedic surgeons to influence European policymakers in promotion of active aging programs
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BERLIN — The European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology is in prime position to influence European policymakers and shape health initiatives in the creation of an age-friendly European Union, according to presenters at a political symposium here at the 13th EFORT Congress 2012.
Attendees heard plans on how to share orthopaedic best practices and expertise in the implementation of the health policies to preserve and restore the quality of life of Europe’s aging population. The symposium, organized by EFORT’s European Union Task Force and led by Wolfhart Puhl, MD, detailed the initiatives driven by the European Commission to meet the challenge of the increasingly aging population, particularly the implementation phase of the pilot project entitled “European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing.” The goal of the partnership is to increase the average healthy lifespan of Europeans by 2 years by 2020.
Marianne van den Berg, a policy analyst from the European Commission’s health directorate, presented the commission’s innovation partnership project.
“Fall prevention, frailty and integrated care are action areas where EFORT can contribute their expertise to the initiative,” van den Berg said.
She stressed that frailty and falls are an important aspect for EFORT and an area where the orthopaedic community can take the lead. The first goal of this area of the partnership is having a validated program of early diagnosis and prevention which can be introduced in at least 10 countries and 15 regions across the European Union.
Prof. Karsten E. Dreinhöfer, MD, EFORT 2012 Congress Chairman, spoke about the role of mobility in active aging. The latest data projections indicate a 70% increase in elderly people with one or more disabilities during the next 30 years, he said. Orthopaedic interventions to preserve mobility are not just about adding years to life, but adding “life to years” Dreinhöfer said.
The symposium also covered the issue of multidisciplinary care access for the elderly. The Standing Committee of European Doctors presented their views on the importance of collaborating across disciplines, particularly with geriatricians. The AGE Platform, the leading force behind European Year 2012 on Active Ageing, presented its goals for the year, and a patient’s perspective on the topic was given by Nele Caeyers of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Standing Committee of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe.
“Nothing about us without us,” she said of the need for partnership with patients in health policy.
Reference:
- Hoffmeyer P, Puhl W, Dreinhöfer K, van den Berg M, et al. Europe on the Move: Promoting active and healthy ageing. Political symposium presented at the 13th EFORT Congress 2012. May 23-25. Berlin.
- Disclosures: There are no relevant financial disclosures.