[Social medicine aspects of the aging man]

The potential for good health is largely dependent on the prevention and reduction of early onset of fatal disease and death. The male population, in particular, is at risk from early onset of fatal disease and death. Prevention strategies must be developed in order to reduce the risk factors leading to the currently most common causes of death (heart disease, cancer, accidents). Due to the increase in life expectancy, however, other illnesses generally affecting the elderly population (osteoporosis, dementia, cancer, heart attack, incontinence etc.) are gaining in significance. The above average reduction in life expectancy in men can be counteracted particularly through preventative measures and the active promotion of good health. In particular risk factors, such as, smoking, overweight, high blood pressure and metabolic disease, are responsible for the high mortality rate in men. New research areas must be defined for the male population, which particularLy focus on the ageing male. In the field of age related illness, gender specific investigations are definitely required. The main focus has to be on therapy and prevention of those diseases and their subsequent debilitating effects, that commonly effect the elderly. Particularly with men there is still a deficit of information with regards the role of hormones and their relationship with andropause and ageing.