At this year's World Health Assembly 23-28 May, we are highlighting how ageism - one of the most accepted forms of discrimination - is a persistent barrier to healthy ageing across the world.
Read on to find out what we'll be doing at the World Health Assembly (WHA).
Side Event: From Plan to Action: Combating Ageism to Achieve Healthy Ageing
Our WHA side event From Plan to Action: Combating Ageism to Achieve Healthy Ageing is an interactive discussion examining how ageism impacts society and policy, and the actions needed to improve older people’s health and wellbeing.
The event will be moderated by Dr John Beard, Director of the World Health Organization's Department of Ageing and Life Course, and features speakers from Sweden's Government, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), HelpAge International Tanzania and the International Federation on Ageing.
To register your attendance, please complete our online form. For more information contact healthy.ageing@ifrc.org.
Older Kenyan activist raises her voice at the WHA
Esther Wamera, an older activist from Kenya and regular HelpAge partner, will be speaking at a separate side event organised by Australia, Japan, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Thailand and the United States of America, supported by WHO’s Ageing and Life Course Department. The meeting will provide an opportunity to share innovative experiences to advance healthy ageing, illustrating the principles and strategic directions of the draft Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health.
The event will take place on Friday 27 May, 12.15-1.45pm, inside the United Nations, Room XXIII.
Follow #WHA69 on social media
We will be tweeting throughout the World Health Assembly. HelpAge's Health and Care Policy Advisor, Rachel Albone, our Health and Care Policy Officer, Charlotte Aberdein and HelpAge Tanzania Country Director, Amleset Tewodros will be tweeting live updates from the event.
To join the conversation, please follow our Twitter accounts:
@HelpAge | @charl_aberdein | @RachelCAlbone | @HelpAgeTanzania
Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health
Governments attending the World Health Assembly are expected to endorse the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (PDF), providing a framework through which last year's WHO World Report on Ageing and Health can be implemented at national and local levels.
Read HelpAge Chief Executive Toby Porter's statement of support for the report.
World Health Assembly blogs
We'll be publishing blogs on activities and outcomes related to the World Health Assembly during and after the event.
Check this page, follow us on Twitter for updates or visit our blogs next week.
Watch the World Health Assembly live stream
Meetings taking place at the WHA will be live-streamed via the WHO's webcast. Read the agenda to find out what is happening and when.
Improving healthcare services for older people
All year round, we're working to improve older people's health and help health providers face the challenges of global ageing. Read more about our work on health and care.
Useful links
World Health Assembly | WHO World Report on Ageing and Health