To update our understanding of the status of elderly health care within the context of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office's Strategy Paper on Elderly Care (1995), a short questionnaire was sent to all Member States of the Region, except Afghanistan and SomaliThe questionnaire sought information on the proportion of the elderly in the population, the status of health care and the level of economic, social, cultural and physical assistance available to the elderly. Of the 21 countries in the survey, 18 (86%) responded. The findings of the survey are discussed here under the headings of demography, national policies on elderly care, social benefits, health care, social and community services, economic burden and the role of the non-government sector.