January 2006
The Center recently completed a report that assessed the impact of the aging of the population on the supply and demand for a variety of health professionals. This report, which was funded by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis of the Bureau of Health Professions in the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, profiles the broad impact that aging Americans will have on the health workforce in general, and on 18 health professions, specifically. The study considered the effects of aging on the supply of and demand for health professionals needed to serve the elderly. More qualitative issues, including general and specialty preparation and service delivery structures to meet the needs of the next generation of older adults, were also considered.

The report discusses salient trends and issues in both the health care workforce overall and in specific health occupations and professions; creates a baseline of information about the workforce that serves older adults; and identifies key factors expected to have an impact on the ability of the health care system to meet the future health care needs of older adults in the U.S.

Key findings related to the health workforce include:

Most health professionals receive limited training on care to the elderly;

Many health professions are aging rapidly;

Many health professions lack diversity;

Future shortages of health workers to serve the elderly are likely; and

Future demand for health care professionals and paraprofessionals to serve the elderly will be affected by:

Health insurance reimbursement policies;

Emerging technologies;

New models of care; and

Changes in profession-specific scope of practice.