Health promotion for seniors: what is over the horizon?

The health care industry is experiencing tremendous change in terms of health care delivery systems and fiscal pressure to provide high-quality health care at an affordable cost. A significant step forward in this change process will be the recognition of the value of comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention. The managed care model of health care is an excellent vehicle for a systematic health promotion program to flourish and succeed. This article surveys the literature on the topic of health promotion and its impact on the wellness of Medicare managed care beneficiaries and the senior population. The authors address issues, facilitators, benefits, and barriers within the context of health promotion and its potential to greatly impact both the quality and cost of health care for the rapidly growing senior population in the coming years.