Geriatric Society of India has called to control pneumonia on International  Day of Older Persons observed annually on October 1, 2012.

Pneumococcal disease (PD) is a leading public health problem in adults worldwide including India. It is caused by Streptococcus pneumonia which is caused by otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia bacteremia and meningitis. The relative risk of pneumococcal disease is 2.9 folds higher in adults 50 years of age and above.

The incidence of PD is observed to be high particularly in young children (less than 5) and older adults (above 50 years of age). According to the Invasive Bacterial Infectious Surveillance (IBIS) study, case-fatality rate in invasive pneumococcal disease has been found to be highest, in adults 50 years of age which is 28 per cent, in India. Older adults are more prone to develop pneumococcal disease given the declining immune system functioning in the elderly, combined with an increasing incidence of associated medical disorders.

The population of the elderly in India, which accounted for 6.7 per cent in 1991, is expected to account for 12.17 per cent of overall population by 2026.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report on ‘Preventive Care and Healthy Ageing’ highlights the state of elderly healthcare in India and talks of the alarming situation of geriatric care in the country. It estimates that there will be 323 million in India by 2050 in the 65+ age group. The situation is further aggravated as the healthcare infrastructure in India is not adequately geared to take care of India’s ageing population.

Pneumonia in adults can be prevented with a simple vaccination and there is evidence to showcase the efficacy of the new pneumonia vaccination which is cost effective but with limited awareness about its benefits. A single dose of the advanced pneumococcal vaccination, during one’s life can help in preventing Pneumococcal disease and prolong healthy life, pointed out Dr OP Sharma, general secretary, Geriatric Society of India  New Delhi.

The incidence of PD is observed to be high particularly in young children (less than 5) and older adults (above 50 years of age). According to the Invasive Bacterial Infectious Surveillance (IBIS) study, case-fatality rate in invasive pneumococcal disease has been found to be highest, in adults 50 years of age (28 per cent), in India. Older adults are more prone to develop pneumococcal disease given the declining immune system functioning in the elderly, combined with an increasing incidence of associated medical disorders.

Age is a primary risk factor for pneumococcal disease, and as the  population ages, the number of the risk is higher. Globally, PD reports 1.6 million fatality annually. “Despite widespread adherence to treatment guidelines, PD remains a serious global concern with high rates of morbidity and mortality,” he added.