ADULT HEALTH - A LEGITIMATE CONCERN FOR DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

Adults, defined here as people between 15 and 59 years of age, in deve loping countries have a high risk of premature death and suffer from f requent morbidity and high rates of chronic impairment. Their ill heal th imposes a major burden on health services and large negative conseq uences on families, communities, and societies. This paper describes t he level and impact of adult mortality and morbidity, and highlights s ome of its characteristics and causes, which in some cases contradict commonly held beliefs. It concludes that ''adult health'' is a legitim ate public health concern for developing countries that is not being a ddressed. An agenda for remedial research and action is proposed.