Using the data of the National TB Register, and reports from the Satakunta sanatorium, Finland, it was shown that the educational and occupational levels of new cases of TB among persons of more than 50 years of age remained comparatively unchanged in Satakunta during the period 1954-1969. In comparison with the total population of the same age in 1960, aged TB patients had a lower educational and occupational status. The level of housing of tuberculotic patients was found to be about the same as the total population in 1960. During the same period, the incidence of TB among those of 50 years and above did not change noticeably, whereas a complete change was observable with regard to the situation of younger age groups. In the current situation, with the influence of recent infection being practically excluded, it appears that the incidence of TB in old age cannot be influenced by purely social action, for example, by improving the level of housing. Instead, priority should be given to medical treatment.

A comparison of incidence rates and hospital utilization rates of the aged indicates that these two phenomena are almost parallel. This similarity lends support to the concept that patients have been hospitalized mainly for medical reasons. The occupational status of new cases of TB and discharged patients remained almost the same for a decade. This further indicates that social conditions were not decisive in the selection of patients for care. Not until after the mid-sixties did the aged attain the level of utilization of hospital services which could be anticipated on the basis of morbidity rates. A rough forecast is made of the estimated development in the near future: the number of persons of more than 50 years of age in 1980 would be about 80 percent of hospitalized patients.