DRAFT WHO Impact Framework: 13th General Programme of Work (11/01/2017)

The Old Colonists’ Association in Victoria, Australia is concerned that the priorities identified in DRAFT WHO 13th General Programme of Work do not include any reference to the health needs of older people.

As a significant organisation supporting elderly Victorians in need with housing and appropriate care, we believe this is a significant omission, and does not take up issues identified in the 2016 WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (2016-2020), which stated:

“Evidence suggests that older people are not experiencing better health than previous generations, and that those who have experienced disadvantage across their lifetime have a higher risk of poor health.” Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (2016-2020).

The strategy and action plan recognised the challenges and opportunities raised by rapid ageing in developed and developing countries. It also endorsed Sustainable Development Goals, noting that ageing is an issue that is relevant to 15 of the 17 Goals

We also point out that the 13th General Programme of Work is inconsistent with the previous program, which included the need to promote active and healthy ageing.

“Promoting health through the life-course: reducing morbidity and mortality and improving health during pregnancy, childbirth, the neonatal period, childhood and adolescence; improving sexual and reproductive health; and promoting active and healthy ageing, taking into account the need to address determinants of health and internationally agreed development goals, in particular, the health-related Millennium Development Goals.”

We urge the WHO to revise the draft 13th General Programme of Work to include:

Goal 3: older people and their specific health issues and risk factors; this is more than disease.

Goal 4: lifelong learning extends to adults and older people, and education is an important prerequisite for good health.

Other omissions which should be taken up within the Program are:

·       End of life, palliative care

·       Elder abuse

Impact of climate change on vulnerable older populations