Age International Calls for Better Healthcare for Older People Around the World
Published on 11 July 2023 02:00 PM
Age International is asking the UK public to sign its new open letter to the Minister of State Andrew Mitchell MP. The letter is calling on him to remember older people at an upcoming United Nations meeting in September, where governments will revisit their commitment to access to healthcare for everyone.
The letter is part of Age International's new campaign asking the UK Government to remember older people's health needs. The United Nations high-level meeting, scheduled for 21 September 2023, will focus on Universal Health Coverage and falls within the second year of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. It presents an opportunity for governments to recommit to providing accessible health care for all and reinvigorate global health collaboration. Age International's open letter emphasizes the importance of including older people in the discussions and ensuring their health needs are not overlooked.
The global population is ageing rapidly, and health systems must be prepared to enable everyone to live well in later life. Yet in many places, older people's basic healthcare needs are not being met. Governments including the UK are committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and as part of that, health coverage that is affordable and accessible to all. The open letter states that 'Universal Health Coverage' offers a huge opportunity to improve access to basic healthcare, but will not be truly universal if it does not respond to the health needs of people of all ages.
Age International's campaign was informed by its recent report, 'Universal Health Coverage for All Ages: An Agenda for Action'. The report draws on evidence and experience from Age International's work with partners around the world. It highlights the urgent need to bridge the 'health gap' faced by many older people and address the lack of prioritisation and investment in the chronic diseases that disproportionately affect them. It also underlines the importance of health care that reaches older people within their communities.
Alison Marshall, CEO of Age International, said:
“Older people’s health is integral to the delivery of the UK's global health objectives. The UK Government has expressed its commitment to Universal Health Coverage. But 'universal health coverage' is far from ‘universal’ if it excludes the needs of older people.”
Age UK Charity Director Caroline Abrahams has added her name to the open letter, stating:
“Inexorably, the world is ageing, so we need to adapt our health systems to meet the needs of growing numbers of older people, hopefully enabling them to live well and continue to participate fully in their societies. Exactly what this looks like will vary from place to place, but it’s a truly global opportunity, and challenge. Universal Health Coverage can play an important part in this process of change, but only if older people are fully included.”
Several other leaders and experts in the field have already signed the letter, as well as parliamentarians Heléna Herklots CBE - the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, The Rt Hon. the Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baron Rennard of Wavertree in the County of Merseyside.
To sign the letter and learn more about the campaign, visit: www.ageinternational.org.uk/openletter
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The open letter is our chance to show the Minister of State that older people around the world and their ability to live well in later life matters to the people of the UK.
Universal Health Coverage for All Ages: An Agenda for Action
Age International’s report highlights the positive experiences of older people that the Charity has supported in countries including Kenya, Ethiopia and Vietnam and makes recommendations to address the imbalance in health services for older people. The report calls for:
- Better health for people of all ages and for governments to take responsibility for ensuring older people’s health needs are met.
- The UK Government to take action to ensure its global health framework responds fully to the health needs and rights of older people.
- Health systems to be strengthened to meet the needs of older people by investing in primary health care, community-based approaches and by providing geriatric training for health workers.
- A commitment to explicitly recognising the health needs and rights of older people in Universal Health Coverage, meaning all people of all ages should have access to the full range of quality health services they need.
- Health systems to be equipped to address chronic illness and non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurological conditions such as dementia as well as mental health conditions.