Margaret Chan's report on the International Day of the Elderly
WHO urged world leaders to ensure healthy aging of the population
UN News Center
The rapid aging of the world's population requires fundamental changes in the health system – a shift from models of disease treatment to their prevention and the provision of comprehensive care that takes into account the special needs of older people.
This is stated in the new report of the World Health Organization (WHO) on aging and health. It is presented on the eve of the International Day of Older Persons, which is celebrated on October 1.
"For the first time in history, most people can expect to live to be 60 or older. The implications for health, health systems, their human resources and budgets are enormous," said WHO Director–General Margaret Chan.
She called on world leaders and doctors to adopt the recommendations of the report in order to ensure healthy aging for their population.
According to the UN, by 2050, the number of elderly people in the world will more than double – from 841 million people to more than two billion people. By the middle of this century, almost eight out of ten older people in the world will live in less developed regions.
The steady increase in life expectancy is one of the most significant achievements and at the same time one of the most serious problems, primarily in the health sector.
"I believe that the World Report on Aging and Health can change the perception of the phenomenon of population aging by politicians and doctors," Margaret Chan said.
Download the report in Russian translation (32 pages, 0.5 MB) on the WHO – VM website.
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01.10.2015