As the world’s aging population continues to increase, global hunger for senior citizens is becoming a concern for international health organizations. In the next forty years, the number of people over the age of 60 will increase from 600 million to 2.4 billion people. The added threat to these aging people is that, not only do they not have access to the necessary amount of food, but they are also often simultaneously suffering from other illnesses. Without food security, the elderly easily become less able to recover from such ailments.

This is not just an issue affecting the developing world. Enid Borden, CEO of the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger, disclosed at the Annual Legislative Breakfast that, in 2010, 8.3 million seniors (14 percent of the population) were living in hunger. That number had drastically increased from 5.2 million people in 2005.

There are certain demographics more likely to be affected by hunger. Lower income senior citizens, racial or ethnic minorities, and seniors in the South and Southwest in the United States are at highest risk. At the breakfast, Borden showed a video that featured an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who often has to choose between paying for medicine or food.

Ms. Borden believes that Americans can fight hunger in their home country as well as around the world. The important thing is to not forget about our aging population and to incorporate methods that specifically help senior citizens. Too often the elderly do not receive the care they need and deserve. As this population increases, it will become ever more vital to develop a solution for global hunger.

– Mary Penn

Source: Toledo Blade
Photo: PBase