Madeline Greer, Nyasia Williams, LaQuarius Roseman

 Definition: the belief that one age category is by nature superior to another age category.  American media reinforces ageism. ◦ For example, in tv commercials, older people are usually seen selling medications and healthcare products.

 Today there are approximately 606 million people aged 60 and older worldwide.  “Graying of America”- theory that by the year 2050, one in every 5 Americans will be elderly. ◦ 2 primary reasons: 1) advances in healthcare and better living conditions, and 2) variations in birthrates ◦ Baby-Boom generation: people born between 1946 and the1960s.

 The changing structure of American politics has put elderly people in the center of politics.  Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are major issues for American elders. ◦ Dependency Ratio: the number of workers for each person receiving Social Security benefits.  Medicare: Government-sponsored health-insurance plan for elders  Medicaid: State and federally funded health- insurance for low-income people.

 Prejudice and Discrimination ◦ Disabled people have a hard time finding employment ◦ Those who do work receive lower-than-average wages  ADA-Americans with Disabilities Act ◦ Addresses four main areas:  Employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunication

 Cost ◦ The cost of healthcare is increasing ◦ The US exceeded $1.3 trillion in the year 2000 in health-care expenditures.  Quality ◦ A popular method of controlling health-care expenditures is through a plan called managed care. ◦ Members can receive health care services based on a set monthly or annual charge.

 Access to Healthcare ◦ Accessing healthcare is a problem for many Americans. ◦ One of the major factors of this is due to the distribution of physicians, geographically as well as within the business.

 Access to health care is one way in which health is related to social status  Poor people are less likely to receive good health care than wealthy people  Health Insurance ◦ insurance to cover the costs or losses incurred if an insured person falls ill