Too old and expensive, 4 out of 10 are excluded from the best care due to their age. The consequence is a mortality risk up to 4 times higher.
The Florence Charter was born, the first world manifesto against healthcare ageism. It aims to combat age-related prejudices and stereotypes in healthcare and improve the quality and length of life of the elderly. The measures include the inclusion of elderly people in clinical trials for the drugs they use and new pathways for their emergency care. In Italy, data from national registers document that up to 40% of over 85s with heart problems are under-treated.