A new report released Monday shows that the US health care system is not ready to handle the millions of baby boomers who will soon become senior citizens. There are 78 million baby boomers about to begin turning 65, the report, by an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, warns.

Apparently, there are only about 7,100 doctors certified in geriatrics in the United States, one per every 2,500 older Americans, the Institute of Medicine paper claims.

"This could be seen as evidence that our society places little value on the expertise needed to care for vulnerable, frail, older Americans," said John W. Rowe, former chairman and chief executive of health-insurance giant Aetna Inc. Rowe headed the committee that wrote the report.

Last month, a report released by the Alzheimer’s Association has found that about 14 million or nearly 18 percent of the United States’ 78 million baby boomers will likely develop Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in their lifetime.

The report, “2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” estimates that one in eight baby boomers will likely have Alzheimer’s, a degenerative brain disease characterized by severe memory loss and confusion.

The oldest baby boomers are turning 62 this year and are by definition entering the risk zone. According to Stephen McConnell, vice president of public policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, age is the largest major factor linked with the disease. After turning 65, chances of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every 5 years.