78th WHA Individual Statements
Health systems are unprepared for rapid population ageing and increasing rates of NCDs and disabilities. Millions of older people cannot access the services they need and face the highest risk of catastrophic health spending.
Investing in healthy ageing eases pressure on health systems and supports older people’s dignity and continued contribution to society.
To reap these benefits, governments must:
Reorient systems to meet the needs of ageing populations and promote healthy ageing, including in emergencies.
Ensure health financing supports the needs of people across the life-course, by shifting from disease-specific models to investment in health system strengthening and primary health care that delivers equitable, integrated and person-centred care.
Strengthen financial protection to enable older people to access health and care services without financial hardship.
Collect disaggregated data on people of all ages, and,
Engage older people in designing inclusive health systems