Jiang Hua: Proactive Prevention and Health Management Are Essential for Healthy Aging

"Healthy aging cannot be achieved without proactive prevention and health management. At present, China has entered a deeply aged society, where the coexistence of multiple diseases among the elderly is very common, and they are more susceptible to infectious diseases." During the 6th CIIE, GSK, in collaboration with Xinhua Net, hosted a roundtable conference themed "Healthy Aging, Prevention First". At the conference, Professor Jiang Hua, Director of the Geriatrics Department and General Practice Department at Shanghai East Hospital (Oriental Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University), stated that with age and aging, degenerative changes occur in various organs of the body, the incidence of chronic diseases increases, immunity declines, leading to a higher risk of infectious diseases. Compared to the general population, patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, COPD, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatic immune diseases, etc., have an increased incidence of herpes zoster.

"People with chronic diseases not only have a higher risk of contracting shingles, but also face greater challenges in controlling the condition after infection, leading to poorer outcomes. For instance, diabetic patients who develop shingles may find it more difficult to manage their blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of acute diabetic complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma, which can result in adverse outcomes. Additionally, special attention should be paid to postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles. Many individuals continue to suffer from severe pain caused by neuralgia even after recovering from shingles." According to Jiang Hua, prevention is particularly crucial for the elderly, especially those with chronic conditions or multiple comorbidities. The key lies in prioritizing prevention while integrating it with treatment. Preventive measures include adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing chronic diseases effectively, and proactively receiving vaccinations. Among these, proactive vaccination is the most cost-effective method to prevent specific infectious diseases and improve the prognosis of chronic illnesses.