Public health and palliative care in 2015.

Palliative care is a public health concern, because the problems faced by patients and their families represent a substantial burden of illness and cost to the society that is likely to increase markedly in the future as the world's population continues to age. There are also inequities in access to palliative care and continued unmet need. There is evidence to support palliative care services, but not yet enough information on the cost-effectiveness of many specific treatments/interventions.