By 2025, the population aged 65 and above in Taiwan will reach 4.85 million, accounting for 20.8% of the total population, marking the countdown to a super-aged society. However, the average Taiwanese has an unhealthy life expectancy of up to eight years, posing a significant burden on the nation, society, and families. Among the pressing public health risks for the elderly are frailty and sarcopenia, aging, cancer, dementia, and depression. Early detection and treatment of these health issues can significantly reduce their impact on individuals and society.
The first Healthy Ageing Tech Show in Taiwan, organized by the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy, will be held from August 2 to 4 at the Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. The expo will bring together leading medical institutions to showcase how the latest AI technology, imaging diagnostics, and big data analysis can be used to detect and treat potential diseases in the elderly, reducing the risk of becoming bedridden.
Can Swallowing Sounds Determine Swallowing Ability? Can a 10-Second Posture Change Reveal Sarcopenia?
One common health issue among the elderly is difficulty swallowing, which leads to malnutrition. The concept of "oral frailty," proposed in Japan in recent years, highlights that swallowing difficulties increase the risks of sarcopenia, frailty, dementia, and falls. According to the Health Promotion Administration, about one in ten elderly people in Taiwan has mild to moderate swallowing difficulties. The Chewing and Swallowing Center at National Cheng Kung University Hospital has developed a new app that can detect swallowing function decline by recording swallowing sounds, with an accuracy rate of up to 80%. This app will debut at the expo, where visitors can test their swallowing function at the hospital’s booth.
Sarcopenia involves issues like malnutrition, reduced activity, and diseases. According to the Health Promotion Administration, the prevalence of sarcopenia in men aged 65 and above in Taiwan is 23.6%, and in women, it is 18.6%. Tzu Chi Hospital has pioneered using posture changes as an indicator of muscle health, capable of detecting high-risk groups for sarcopenia in just 10 seconds. This experience will be available to the public at the expo.
Limited to 300 Slots! Detecting Telomere Length to Unlock the Aging Code
Telomeres, the DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, protect them but shorten with replication, potentially linking to cellular aging as a "biological clock." By measuring telomere length, one can understand the body's aging process and create anti-aging plans. The affiliated hospital of China Medical University will offer free telomere length tests to 300 visitors during the expo. Don't miss this opportunity!
Breaking the Curse of the "King of Cancers"! World’s First AI-Assisted Early Detection for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is hard to detect early and spreads quickly, with a 5-year survival rate of only 10%, earning it the title "King of Cancers" and making it the deadliest cancer and the seventh leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. Despite an 80% cure rate if diagnosed before the tumor exceeds 2 cm and without metastasis, 40% of cases are hard to detect at this stage. Once the tumor is larger than 2 cm, the cure rate drops below 20%. National Taiwan University Hospital has developed the world’s first AI-assisted pancreatic cancer detection system, capable of identifying tumors smaller than 1 cm in about one minute, with an accuracy rate of over 90%.
AI Technology Enhances Early Diagnosis of Parkinson's and Dementia
It is estimated that about 15% of the population aged 65 and above is affected by Parkinson's disease. However, its early development is slow, with subtle imaging changes and a lack of obvious lesions, resulting in an early diagnosis accuracy rate of only 53%, dropping to 26% for those unresponsive to medication. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital uses AI technology to analyze MRI images, achieving a diagnostic accuracy rate of 90%, significantly reducing misdiagnosis rates. On August 3 at 2:30 PM, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital will host a lecture on "AI Intelligent Diagnosis, Precision Protection of Brain Health" at the expo.
Epidemiological studies in Taiwan show that about 7.99% of the elderly aged 65 and above are affected by dementia, with over 350,000 patients in total. Once dementia symptoms become noticeable, the condition is usually in an irreversible stage. Taipei Medical University has discovered that combining subtle behavioral indicators like gait, intonation, and eye movements with AI analysis of carotid ultrasound and brain imaging can accurately detect very early-stage dementia, achieving prevention or reversal effects. The Dementia Center at Shuang Ho Hospital is dedicated to the study of preventing very early-stage dementia, improving patients' independence and quality of life in daily activities beyond medication.
The families of dementia patients frequently struggle to find relevant educational resources, facing information shortages and caregiving pressure. Far Eastern Memorial Hospital has collaborated with Far EasTone Telecommunications to develop a Dementia Open AI system that provides real-time Q&A to assist with long-term care inquiries, acting as a 24/7 on-call dementia care assistant. Visitors can experience this system at the expo.
Middle-Aged and Elderly Depression Increases Dementia Risk! iTBS Therapy Improves Brain Activity
Depression has become a major global health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disability worldwide. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, depression not only affects cognitive function and quality of life, increasing suicide risk and medication overuse but is also a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to medication, recent brain stimulation therapies have effectively alleviated depression symptoms by stimulating and activating relevant brain areas. The Department of Psychiatry at Taipei Veterans General Hospital has discovered that intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is highly effective for elderly depression, significantly improving brain activity.
Overview of the Healthy Ageing Tech Show
Date and Location: August 2-4, Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1
Organizers: Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry & Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy
Co-organizers: Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Health Research Institutes, Administration for Digital Industries, Ministry of Digital Affairs
Collaborators: National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Chang Gung Medical System, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Kaohsiung Medical University, Tzu Chi Foundation and Medical Corporation
Three Main Themes
-Health Care: Helping the elderly to age healthily, manage their health, prevent diseases, and reduce the risk of illness.
-Smart Services: Providing elderly-friendly "home environments," thoughtful "life support," and secure "financial planning."
-Happy Living: Offering diverse "leisure and educational resources," promoting lifelong learning, and enriching social networks.
Two Special Exhibition Halls
-Six Major Cities Age-Friendly Theme Pavilion
-Elderly Life Technology Experience Pavilion
Resource (mandarin): 首屆高齡健康產業博覽會 失智、憂鬱、肌少、衰弱風險 科技檢測全體驗
