[Geriatric respiratory medicine: a field needs be furthered strengthened].

Respiratory diseases are common in the elderly and often the main causes of death among this population.In addition,it is expected that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,lower respiratory tract infections,lung cancer,and pulmonary tuberculosis will be listed in the top ten diseases in 2020.Therefore,screening,diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases should be strengthened among the elderly;meanwhile,studies on geriatric respiratory medicine should be further enhanced.