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UN Decade of Healthy Ageing

By December 4, 2024No Comments

Welcome to your UN Decade of Healthy Ageing update for November 2024!

In this newsletter, explore:

  • Headlines on healthy ageing – International Day of Older Persons, a new policy database on ageing, and developments from the Commonwealth

Take a deeper dive into:

And get a summary of:

Events, publications, and other items you may have missed

Headlines on healthy ageing – Cross-cutting developments on #AddingLifeToYears

Connect with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing on Bluesky and Threads

Changing the way you connect with others and have conversations online?

Alongside X/Twitter, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing is also on other social media channels, including Bluesky and Threads.

So wherever you’re headed, give us a follow and stay updated on the latest developments in fostering healthy ageing and transforming the world to be a better place to grow older.

Looking back and building on the UN International Day of Older Persons 2024

To commemorate the UN International Day of Older Persons 2024 (UNIDOP 2024), we developed an online ‘one-stop-shop’ hub that brings together a rich collection of resources on the topic of care and support for older people.

This continuously updated hub can be explored and used any time – so if you haven’t yet, take the time to explore the content – and while you are there, check out our hubs on other topics:

A new policy database on ageing from the UN Economic Commission for Europe

The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) hosts the Standing Working Group on Ageing (SWGA), where Member States from the UNECE region come together to exchange knowledge and consider policy recommendations responsive to the opportunities of population ageing.

At the 14th meeting of the SWGA held from 20–22 November 2024, UNECE launched a new policy database compiling ageing-related policies from the region. The new database facilitates exploration of what governments from the region are doing to unlock the possibilities of later life.

The Commonwealth releases new report and roadmap on healthy ageing

The Commonwealth Secretariat has released a roadmap that establishes a framework for how Commonwealth member countries can promote healthy ageing across the life-course for all citizens.

Framed by the urgency of action as we approach the halfway point of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), this new roadmap reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensure older people can enjoy lives of dignity, autonomy, and meaning.

Combatting ageism – Countries engaging to create #AWorld4AllAges

The African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons enters into effect

On 6 November 2024, the African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons (‘the AU Protocol’) went into effect following its 15th ratification, marking a significant milestone for the protection and promotion of older people’s rights in the African region.

The existence of this framework is important: according to the UN Global report on ageism, policy and law is one of three strategies shown to work to address age-based inequities and reduce ageism.

A big congratulations to Nigeria – who joins Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, and Togo in the ratification of the AU Protocol.

The UN Independent Expert on the rights of older persons calls for inputs to support an upcoming country visit to Malaysia

The United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Dr Claudia Mahler, will conduct an official country visit to Malaysia from 9–20 December 2024.

During this visit, the Independent Expert will assess the human rights situation of older persons in Malaysia, evaluate progress in the implementation of obligations to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, and identify recommendations.

In preparation of the visit, the Independent Expert invites all interested individuals and organizations to provide inputs. Deadline for inputs is 29 November 2024, 20:00 CET.

Chile’s Ministry of Health launches new awareness campaign on ageism 

Chile’s Ministry of Health has launched a new digital awareness campaign on ageism, based on the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism. Congratulations to the Chilean government on joining the worldwide movement to create #AWorld4AllAges!

Content can be accessed initially in Spanish on X/Twitter and Facebook. If you’re interested in launching a similar campaign for your local context or organisation, explore the Global Campaign’s resources on their website or contact hello@aworld4allages.org.

Building age-friendly environments – New opportunities for learning and advocacy

Marking World Cities Day with the launch of a new PAHO/WHO online course on age-friendly environments

On World Cities Day (31 October 2024), the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization launched a new online course aimed at providing knowledge on age-friendly environments, healthy ageing, and the importance of developing cities and communities that foster the abilities of older people.

The course, available in Spanish but soon to be released in English and Portuguese, focuses on age-friendly cities and communities, their key characteristics, and the process of implementing concrete actions to transform local environments to be a better place to grow older.

Age-friendly environments at the World Urban Forum 2024

The World Urban Forum (WUF) is organised by the United Nations and UN-Habitat every two years to examine one of the most important transformations experienced by the world today: rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.

This year’s WUF took place in Cairo, Egypt from 4-8 November – and on the agenda was advocating for more leaders to ensure our environments are better places to grow, live, work, play, and age, even as they become more urban.

Recordings from the WUF’s programme are now available, including relevant sessions such as a specific roundtable discussion on older persons.

New resources from the International Labour Organization on older people in the world of work and social protection

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a UN agency working to ensure accessible, productive, and sustainable work worldwide in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity.

But as populations around the world continue to live longer and grow older, fundamental shifts in how we work and think about employment are required to ensure everyone can continue to live with meaning and rights.

ILO has recently released three new resources to support stakeholders understand what shifts might be required, and how to take action:

Delivering integrated care and long-term care for older people

WHO guideline for low back pain available in additional languages

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability globally. Anyone can experience low back pain at any age, but it is most frequent in older age.

WHO has produced a guideline for health workers of all disciplines that outlines how to non-surgically manage chronic primary low back pain in adults in primary and community care settings.

The executive summary of this guideline is now available in all UN languages.

Ministers of Health in the Americas approve a policy on long-term care

Ministers of Health in the region of the Americas approved a policy aimed at addressing the growing demand for long-term care (LTC) in the region, as well as challenges related to care dependency and its impact on individuals, health systems, and society.

The new policy on LTC, adopted by the 61st Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization in October 2024, urges countries to invest in increased access to long-term care throughout the life course, and reflects increasing commitment to ensure everyone has access to quality and affordable long-term care.

More opportunities to get involved

3 December 2024: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN)

Around 1 in 3 older people is a person with a disability. Actions that remove barriers, improve inclusion, and make the world more accessible benefit the lives of older people, too. On this day, learn more about the intersections between ageism and ableism – and share what you learn with your friends and colleagues.

5 December 2024: International Volunteer Day (UN)

Many older people make valuable contributions to their communities through volunteer work, even when they have retired or left formal employment. On this day, share what you know about older people and volunteering on the UN Decade’s knowledge Platform.

10 December 2024: Human Rights Day (OHCHR)

Human rights do not expire at any age. On this day, learn more about how we can protect the rights of current and future generations of older people – then join the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism to take action.

12 December 2024: International Universal Health Coverage Day (WHO)

Universal health coverage means ensuring health for all – no matter what their age. On this day, learn more about the topic with a technical brief from WHO.

You can also use the UN Decade’s Partnering Kit to share with your networks how good health helps us unlock the possibilities of longer lives.

20 December 2024: International Human Solidarity Day (UN)

In a world that seems more divided than ever, building solidarity between people of all ages has never been more needed. On this day, explore and share resources on intergenerational practice from the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism.