1. The research presented in this article was carried out in the context of the THeCS project, which is funded by COMMIT.
2. Eurostat forecasts suggest that the proportion of the population aged 65 and over will rise from 17.1% in 2008 to 30% in 2060. The average ratio between people of working age (15–64) and people aged 65 and over will change from 4:1 now to 2:1 in 2050. See Opinion 2011/C44/02 of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘The Impact of Population Ageing on Health and Welfare Systems' (exploratory opinion).
3. Defnition offered by DG Health and Consumers, European Commission, http://ec.europa.eu/health/ehealth/policy/index_en.htm.