ETHICAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN LONG-TERM CARE

Abstract

In the 21st century long-term care is going to become
one of the greatest issues in public health in continental
China. According to the 2011 demographic census, the
number of people aged 60 and over was 178 million,
ie 13.26% of the total population and of these 19%
are disabled or semi-disabled.
In 2014 the elderly already reached 212 million, ie
more than the total population of Russia or Japan, that
is an increase of 8.6 million per year. Since the 1990s
three insurance systems have been set up for long-term
care: a system for the rural areas, a system for residents
of urban areas and a system for workers. However,
these systems have to face serious problems as they are
in deficit, propose insufficient coverage and include
inequalities and inequitable situations.