The healthcare industry has been one of the fastest growing segments in the market, with the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Healthcare ETF outperforming the SPDR S&P 500 ETF over the past 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods. By enabling investors to purchase diversified exposure in a single security, exchange-traded funds represent a great way to efficiently and cost-effectively build healthcare exposure into a portfolio [see Select Sector SPDR ETFs Head-To-Head]. What’s the Appeal? The rapid growth in the healthcare industry is being driven by several factors. According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, the U.S. population will have about 72.1 million persons over the age of 65 by 2030, which is more than twice the number in 2000, helping to justify the rapid expansion. New medical devices, pharmaceuticals and treatment options will also help extend the average lifespan–and lifetime healthcare spending–of these citizens. A second major driver of the healthcare industry is universal [...] Click here to read the original article on ETFdb.com. Related Posts: Will Obamacare Put Healthcare ETFs On Life Support? Obama Victory Puts Healthcare ETFs In Focus How To Invest In 2013′s Breakthrough Technologies Sector ETFs: Biggest Winners & Losers YTD 5 Best (And 5 Worst) ETF Performers Over The Last Year