NATIONAL PUBLIC-HEALTH POLICIES FOR PREVENTION AND CARE IN URINARY-INCONTINENCE IN THE ELDERLY

The socioeconomic problems of urinary and fecal incontinence differ fr om culture to culture. Therefore, it is impossible to make a general s tatement that is valid for the whole world. Incontinence is not a life -threatening condition. Indeed, in many countries, in particular in de veloping countries, incontinence is not regarded as a problem by the g eneral public or the government. Instead, it may be perceived as a bur den on the family. Incontinence, on the other hand, plays a major role in those countries where the population has an extended life expectan cy and where the standard of living allows quality-of-life health issu es to be addressed.