Ageing population puts chronic disease prevention in focus across Asia-Pacific

Detailed summary

With Asia Pacific facing rapid population ageing, Bayer highlights the importance of early diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention in addressing the growing burden of chronic diseases.

Asia-Pacific's rapidly ageing population is creating an urgent need for more sustainable healthcare strategies, as the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) places growing pressure on healthcare systems and economies.

By 2050, nearly 1.3 billion people in the region – around one in four of the population – are expected to be aged over 60. While life expectancy continues to increase, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer remain major challenges for individuals, families, and public health systems.

Against this backdrop, Bayer is calling for earlier diagnosis, effective treatment, and greater investment in disease prevention. The call was made at “Longer Lives, Better Years: Reimagining Healthcare for Asia-Pacific”, a media event hosted by Bayer alongside the Silver Economy Forum 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia on November 11.

Healthcare and ageing experts attending the event highlighted the need for a shift in healthcare priorities – from responding to diseases only after they become severe to identifying risks earlier, improving treatment outcomes, and investing systematically in prevention.

“Asia-Pacific is going through one of the fastest demographic shifts in the world. We need to make sure that longer lives are also healthier lives,” said Simon Rosof, head of Asia-Pacific Region at Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

He noted that earlier diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention should be recognised as investments in people, healthcare systems, and economies.

The challenge of population ageing extends beyond increasing life expectancy. A critical concern is whether people can maintain good health and quality of life throughout their additional years.

A Global Burden of Disease study published in The Lancet Public Health in July 2026 found that people worldwide now spend an average of 10.7 years in poor health, up from 8.8 years in 1990.

Across the Western Pacific Region, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer…

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