Geriatric demographics and the practice of otolaryngology

Abstract

Changing demographic trends in our country will have a profound influence on the future practice of otolaryngology. As a result of declining birth rates and increasing lifespans, the geriatric population has already become the fastest-growing segment of our society, and it will continue to be so for decades to come. A larger percentage of patients treated by otolaryngologists will be in the over-65 age group. It will become important to confront not only the medical treatment of this segment of the population, but also the socioeconomic effects of these demographic changes. Familiarity with the terminology, concepts, and statistics of demography is key to understanding the influence that the aging of the population will have on the practice of otolaryngology.