Brussels, Sept 25, IRNA -- There are 4.5 million elderly people out of a population of 66 million in the Islamic Republic of Iran, said an Iranian expert. Of this number of elederly, 46 percent are women.

An Iranian expert on gerontology, Dr. Mahshid Foroughan, talking to IRNA, defined an elderly person as one who is above the age of 60.

Eight participants from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Tehran are currently participating in the 7th International Francophone Congress of Gerontology taking place in Brussels.

Gerontology is the comprehensive study of aging and the problems of the aged.

Forughan presented a paper to the congress on the status of elderly women in Iran. She told IRNA that the low level of educational attainment, health problems and loneliness are some of the main problems facing elderly women in Iran.

She said the government will soon pass a law that will give state-supported health insurance to all housewives in the Islamic Republic.

Dr. Reza Fadayevatan told IRNA that addiction among the elderly is also a major problem in the country.

Fadayevatan, along with Drs. Ali Ardalan and Sharbanou Maghsoudnia, presented the results of a study entitled `A Comparison of the Socio-Economic Characteristics and Drug Abuse Pattern Between Elderly and Non-Elderly Addicts in Tehran, 1998-2000" to the congress.

On changes in the population pyramid of Iran, the study revealed that the proportion of elderly people in the Iranian population is increasing.

The above-stated fact "is why special planning to provide this group with health services is necessary. Besides, the high prevalence of addiction among young and middle-aged individuals at present reveals the importance of this issue for them as future elderly groups," the study said.

It said elderly addicts have a lower level of education. "This matter should be considered in planning treatment methods."

On the whole, addiction patterns were found to be different in the two groups. Elderly addicts used opium more than other drugs while non-elderly addicts used heroin more.

Dr. Fedayevatan further told IRNA that the elderly in Iran lack social amenities available to their counterparts in Europe.

He said that in Europe there are special health insurance schemes and facilities for the elderly such as huge concessions they receive on rail and air tickets, etc.

About 500 oral presentations, videos and scientific posters were presented during the four-day congress that is to close today.