WHO washes its hands of older people

Lloyd-Sherlock, Peter, McKee, Martin and Ebrahim, Shah (2018) WHO washes its hands of older people. The Lancet, 391 (10115). pp. 25-26. ISSN 0140-6736

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Abstract

Older people (≥60 years) constitute more than 12% of the world's population, which will rise to 16·5% by 2030.1 This age group will represent 10% of the population in less developed regions by 2030. Although older people account for a greater proportion of the global burden of disease and health-care needs than younger people, their positive societal contribution should not be overlooked. This age group often provide unpaid care for children or grandchildren, or other adults with disabilities. Improved health of older people is an essential goal to reduce health-care costs and maintain the societal support older people provide. Although WHO has begun to address this key global challenge over the past decade, the proposed 13th General Programme of Work2 makes no reference to older people or conditions associated with later life, such as dementia, which is unacceptable. If the proposed programme is approved, it will considerably diminish WHO's global authority and will brand itself as a champion of age discrimination. We therefore urge that WHO rectify this oversight and revise the proposed programme to include substantial plans relating to the health of older people and challenges of an ageing population.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	aged,ageism,global health,health policy,humans,world health organization,letter,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Health and Disease Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Life Course, Migration and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	01 May 2018 13:30
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 03:45
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/66890
DOI:	10.1016/S0140-6736(17)33313-5

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