Over the past few decades, Asia has had one of the
strongest overall improvements in health and prosperity
of any region in the world. As a result, Asian populations
now enjoy longer life-expectancy and improved quality
of life. China is a shining example – per capita income
has increased 21-fold over the last four decades and life
expectancy has grown from 64 years in 1971 to 75 years
in 2013 – with projections to 81 years by 2050.
However, as shown in this report, the hard-won gains
in health and well-being throughout Asia threaten to
be undermined by an ageing population which will
contribute to an enormous rise in musculoskeletal
diseases and the looming epidemic of fragility fractures.