Taiwan is poised to become a super-aged society this year, with one in five citizens over the age of 65. While life expectancy has risen to 80 years, the average person spends the last eight years of life in poor health, grappling with chronic illnesses, dementia, and other age-related conditions. These demographic shifts present urgent challenges for Taiwan’s healthcare system, requiring policy interventions to ensure both its long-term sustainability and a higher quality of life for the elderly.

To explore innovative solutions and strengthen collaborations, AmCham Taiwan and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) co-hosted the 2025 Healthy Aging Forum on February 11 at the Regent Taipei. Under the theme “Public-Private Partnerships for Holistic Health,” the event brought together leaders from government, industry, and healthcare to explore strategies for strengthening Taiwan’s healthcare resilience in the face of an aging population.

Opening remarks were delivered by Executive Yuan Premier Cho Jung-tai, AIT Director Raymond Greene, and AmCham Supervisor Erik Ramp. Premier Cho reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing national health through major policy initiatives, including the 888 Program prevention and treatment of the “three highs” (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar). He outlined the administration’s objective to extend Taiwan’s average life expectancy to 82 years while increasing the healthy years span from 8 to 10 years. Cho also stressed the importance of expanding access to preventive healthcare, strengthening long-term care programs, and leveraging precision medicine to address chronic diseases, positioning these efforts as essential to the nation’s aging strategy.

“We will spare no effort to take care of all the people on this island,” Premier Cho said. “By improving healthcare conditions, we can also ease financial burdens on the government.”

Chen Jyh-hong, deputy convener of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, delivered the forum’s keynote address, outlining the committee’s efforts to advance precision medicine, digital health management, and chronic disease prevention. He emphasized the role of international partnerships in shaping Taiwan’s health policies and highlighted a significant policy shift: lowering the age threshold for adult health check-ups from 40 to 30 to enhance early disease detection and prevention. Chen also detailed the government’s NT$6 billion investment in the Healthy Taiwan Sprout Project, aimed at driving health innovations and strengthening long-term care infrastructure.

Dr. Sheu Huey-herng, vice president of the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), underscored the critical role of digital health solutions in managing chronic diseases. He pointed to Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome as a major public health concern, advocating for a whole-of-life approach that includes early intervention, lifestyle modifications, and personalized treatment pathways to mitigate long-term health risks.

Dr. Lin Tsung-hsien, deputy superintendent of Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, highlighted the urgent need for improved lipid management to lower cardiovascular disease risks. He noted that only one-third of patients in Taiwan achieve optimal cholesterol levels, emphasizing the importance of greater adherence to treatment guidelines and more effective public health strategies to address this gap.

As Taiwan’s population ages, dementia has become an increasingly urgent public health challenge. Dr. Hsu Jung-lung, president of the Taiwan Dementia Society, likened the condition to “the cancer of the mind” and underscored the necessity of early diagnosis and intervention. He highlighted the role of precision diagnostics in detecting Alzheimer’s disease at its earliest stages, the importance of medications to slow disease progression, and the critical need for enhanced caregiver support to ease the burden on families and the healthcare system.

Dr. Liu Tsan-hong, superintendent of Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, presented holistic health models that integrate nutrition, exercise, and community-based care to promote healthy aging. He emphasized the impact of early intervention, citing the Healthy Life Expectancy program, which has the potential to extend quality life by up to 13 years if implemented proactively.

With the highest rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world, Taiwan faces a pressing need to improve kidney care. Dr. Hsu Yung-ho, secretary general of the Taiwan Society of Nephrology highlighted home dialysis solutions as a viable alternative to in-hospital treatment. He stressed the benefits of peritoneal dialysis (PD), which has been shown to enhance patient quality of life, improve treatment efficiency, and reduce hospital burden. Drawing on successful policy incentives in the United States that have boosted home dialysis adoption, Taiwan is now exploring pay-for-performance models to encourage greater use of home-based treatment options.

Two high-level panel discussions featured experts from government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector, focusing on advancing holistic chronic disease care and implementing Taiwan’s 888 Program, which centers on public awareness, risk factor control, and precision medicine solutions. Experts also discussed how to leverage smart healthcare technologies to empower seniors, integrate long-term care with medical services, and strengthen Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Lue Jen-der, deputy minister of Health and Welfare, underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive sustainable healthcare advancements. He emphasized that as Taiwan transitions into a super-aged society, a comprehensive, integrated approach is essential – one that prioritizes chronic disease prevention, mental health resilience, and digital health transformation to ensure long-term healthcare sustainability.

“The dialogue here today has shed light on how we can achieve greater health outcomes while ensuring the long-term viability of Taiwan’s healthcare system,” Dr. Lue said. “Through innovation, collaboration, and smart policymaking, we can build a healthier Taiwan for all.”

The 2025 Healthy Aging Forum was sponsored by Amway, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Vantive.