This article is largely derived from an assignment submitted in March 2005 by the first author as part of a Masters in Primary Care and General Practice near the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. The essay was written for the purposes of summative assessment of the module on "Primary Care Concepts and Principles" led by Mrs. Paula Walls. The assignment question was: "Consider how increased longevity has affected disease patterns and what effect this is likely to have on your practice in the next decade. Compare and contrast your thoughts with your fellow students. Can you identify any patterns;"peer-reviewe
