"For nearly a generation, economic growth in Western Europe has lagged conspicuously behind the United States. Europe's population is aging dramatically; the region's working-age population will peak in just a few years and decline indefinitely thereafter. If Western Europeans wish to remain economically competitive and enjoy continuing improvements in living standards, they must act now to address this looming demographic challenge." "Europe's Coming Demographic Challenge: Unlocking the Value of Health examines the region's demographic challenges, the curious new phenomenon of the "underworked European," and policies that stand in the way of the region benefiting from its health advantage."--Jacket.
1. The Demographic Challenge to European Prosperity -- 2. U.S.-European Demographic Divergence: The Shape Of Things To Come -- 3. Europe's Limited Demographic Options -- 4. Healthy Aging: An Economic Trump Card? -- 5. Enhancing Prosperity Through Healthy Aging -- 6. Europe's Ongoing Retreat from the Workplace -- 7. Unlocking the Value of Health Through New Policy: Labor Markets, Education, and Health Care -- Labor Markets -- Education -- Health-Care Policy.