What is the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing?
The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is a global collaboration, aligned with the last ten years of the Sustainable Development Goals, that brings together governments, civil society, international agencies, professionals, academia, the media, and the private sector to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.
Populations around the world are aging at a faster pace than in the past and this demographic transition will have an impact on almost all aspects of society. Already, there are more than 1 billion people aged 60 years or older, with most living in low- and middle-income countries. Many do not have access to even the basic resources necessary for a life of meaning and dignity. Many others confront multiple barriers that prevent their full participation in society.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the seriousness of existing gaps in policies, systems, and services. A decade of concerted global action on healthy aging is urgently needed to ensure that older people can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
Combatting Ageism
Ageism affects how we think, feel and act towards others and ourselves based on age. It imposes powerful barriers to the development of good policies and programs for older and younger people and has profound negative consequences on older adults’ health and well-being. WHO is working together with key partners on a Global Campaign to Combat Ageism—an initiative supported by WHO's 194 Member States. The Campaign aims to change the narrative around age and aging and help create a world for all ages.During this month and a half, content related to ageism will be released on the Platform for the Decade of Healthy Ageing and on various social media platforms using a life-course lens, giving initial focus to ageism as it affects older people at the beginning of October and moving the focus progressively towards ageism as it affects younger people and children.
