Media Releases
University of Toronto conference on the aging population to be held January 17 & 18
January 9, 2014
TORONTO, ON – On January 17 and 18, 2014, students from the University of Toronto will host a conference to address the pressing social and healthcare needs of our aging population. By 2036, nearly one in four Canadians will be 65 years of age or older. As a result, Canada will face a potential $70 billion increase in the cost of healthcare over the next 20 years.
Hosted by undergraduate students from the Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Student Union (LMPSU) and the Health Studies Students’ Union (HSSU), the conference will provide unique social and biomedical perspectives that will address the complex issues presented by an aging population.
Topics discussed will include neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and new approaches to stroke recovery. Presenters will also address issues of home care, community health nursing, innovative models of geriatric care and concerns for health policy.
“We’re unsure of how an increase in Canada’s aging population will impact the sustainability of our healthcare system, as well as what it means for age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s,” said Benedict Darren, Co-President of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Student Union (LMPSU).
Held at the University of Toronto’s Bahen Centre for Information Technology, this interdisciplinary conference will feature world-renowned speakers, an interactive panel discussion and a non-profit fair.
“We realize that Canada’s aging population is a prevalent issue, but it isn’t being discussed among young people,” said Kathleen Qu, President of HSSU. “We want to get students involved in this discussion. It’s our future.”
Event Details:
Friday, January 17 from 4:30pm to 9:00pm
Saturday, January 18 from 8:30am to 1:00pm
Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St. George St., University of Toronto
Free admission
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ATRieN7IHD3-PuZ6XADiPrITcLakwFFpLfLECIWMbdU/viewform
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Lynn McDonald, Professor Faculty of Social Work and Director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging
Dr. Sandra Black, Professor of Neurology, from the Department of Medicine
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For more information, please contact:
Katie Babcock, Web and Communications Coordinator
The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (LMP), University of Toronto
Tel: 416–278-6568
katie.babcock@utoronto.ca
http://www.lmp.utoronto.ca