Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2023: health in an ageing society

The focus of this report by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Chris Whitty is on how to maximise the independence, and minimise the time in ill health, between people in England reaching older age and the end of their life. It is aimed at policymakers (government and professional bodies), healthcare professionals, medical scientists and the general public. Many people in older age live with multiple conditions (multimorbidity). Medical training, NHS services and research need to respond to this reality.

This is an optimistic report; there are many things we can do to improve health and independence of older citizens if we are systematic about it. This will however require active decisions and actions by individuals, government and health professionals.

Read the report, here.