As China’s population continues to age, the field of geriatrics has experienced rapid growth. In line with the mission of Zhejiang University Fourth Hospital and centered on the core concept of healthy aging healthcare services, we have established an integrated clinical, research, and teaching unit for geriatric medicine. This unit specializes in clinical and basic research focused on cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urological, and endocrine-metabolic diseases in middle-aged and elderly patients, with particular emphasis on glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular metabolic risks, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and cancer prevention. We are advancing and refining a comprehensive healthcare service system that includes comprehensive geriatric health assessments, geriatric health management, rational medication use for the elderly, and the integrated diagnosis and treatment of multiple comorbidities.
Specific activities of the department include: 1. Conducting screening and assessment of early warning factors for geriatric diseases, such as collecting biomarkers for common geriatric conditions (e.g., hypertension, coronary heart disease, prediabetes, and cancer) and implementing risk interventions to achieve “early detection, early examination, early diagnosis and treatment, and early management” of diseases, thereby providing a basis for geriatric healthcare decision-making. 2. Conduct health education on common chronic diseases among the elderly. Provide guidance on TLC (Targeted, Life-cycle, and Community-based) preventive healthcare strategies for risk factors associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, common cancers, COPD, and other conditions, thereby shifting the focus of prevention and control to earlier stages.
