Academic geriatric programs in US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.

Abstract
By 2030, 20% of the US population will be older than 65 years, up from 12.4% in 2000.1 The aging of the US population will have a major impact on the practice of medicine and future health care costs for the elderly population. The principles of geriatric medicine practice that have been developed over the past 50 years, if widely applied to the care of older Americans, could improve cost-effective, quality care for the well elderly and older adults with chronic illness. In addition, research is needed to advance prevention and treatment of the diseases that result in the greatest functional loss among older individuals. Leadership, expertise, and commitment are required from geriatrics as well as all medical and surgical specialties and other health care disciplines.