Industry Trends Point to Unprecedented Opportunities

Combining medical technology and the human touch, the health services industry continues to grow in response to the needs of millions of people-from newborns to seniors. This industry offers some of the most exciting opportunities for health care entrepreneurs across the country.

Look at the facts:

• The proportion of the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to double within the next 25 years, to 72 million people, an explosion that will have a far-reaching impact on families and society.
• In Census 2000, some 14 million people 65 and older reported some level of disability, most of it related to chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, arthritis or respiratory disorders. About 80 percent of seniors have at least one chronic health condition, and 50 percent have at least two. Changes in family structure, specifically more divorce, fewer children and more stepchildren, may mean less family support for this older segment of the population.
• 77 million Americans are over age 50.
• By the year 2020, 18% of all Americans will be over the age of 65.
• There are currently about 70,000 centenarians in the U.S.
• By the year 2030, as many as 16 million people may have dementia.