The graying of Israel--implications for health and the need for services

This article provides a brief overview of the demographic transformation of Israel and its consequences as a background to the articles appearing in this issue. Measurements of the morbidity of the elderly and their use of health services are discussed together with the ways those differ from estimates of health status and activities of daily living. The use of epidemiological surveys in planning future services is described and the need to develop innovative models of integrated care based on the neighborhood and community is discussed.