Today (1 October) marks the 22nd Anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons and10 years since international governments adopted the first global agreement which recognises older people as contributors to the development and stability of their societies (the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA)). The theme of this year’s celebrations is “Longevity shapes the Future”.
“Our world is rapidly changing. For the first time in history, the number of adults aged 65 and older will outnumber children. Being in the older age group is becoming the “new normal” for the world’s population”.
Today, people live far longer than they did a century ago, reflecting advances in medicine, nutrition and technology. But these unprecedented will change society at many levels and in complex ways, creating both challenges and opportunities. Societies everywhere must harness this powerful demographic change and recognize the ability of older persons to contribute to the development and stability of their societies. The ageing of the global population will have major implications for many aspects of society including: political, economic and consumer behaviour and will place strains on health and social systems, and health budgets.
To celebrate this day, the University of Southampton’s multidisciplinary group is launching a new website for the Ageing and Lifelong Health University Strategic Research Group (USRG).
About the Ageing and Lifelong Health USRG:
The Ageing and Lifelong Health University Strategic Research Group (USRG) is a multidisciplinary research group engaged in world-class research in the dynamic field of ageing. Our aim is to undertake research into the implications of a global ageing population on the health, social, and economic sectors at the global, societal and individual level. The group is chaired by Professor Maria Evandrou and co-chaired by Professor Avan Aihie Sayer.
The new Ageing and Lifelong Health USRG website provides details of the current research projects, publications, global facts on ageing as well as the latest news and events carried out within the group. View the new website at: southampton.likn.co/ageingusrg
We are also keen for you to get involved in our groups activities. If you would like to become a member, then please contact the research coordinator Alison Simmance: [email protected].
“In the current fiscal environment, we must be vigilant in ensuring that the provision of social protection, long-term care and access to public health for the elderly is not undermined. On this International Day of Older Persons, I call on governments and communities everywhere to provide more opportunities for their ageing populations.” — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Message for International Day of Older Persons (2011)