The Healthy ageing section addresses the pressing public health challenge posed by the ageing population in Europe, the WHO European Region and beyond. By aligning with the goals of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, which aims to promote healthy ageing, reduce health inequalities, improve access to integrated and long-term care and enhance the well-being of older adults, the proposed Section seeks to actively contribute to the objectives of this global initiative. The Section on Healthy Ageing will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to bridge the gap between geroscience discoveries and their translation into public health practice. It will address the challenges associated with unhealthy ageing, including the impact of lifestyle factors, social determinants of health, and the accessibility of public health and health care (among them long-care) services. By focusing on evidence-based strategies, preventive measures, and interventions, the section aims to promote healthy ageing trajectories and alleviate the burden of age-associated diseases and functional decline among older adults, i.e. through research, policy advocacy, knowledge exchange, and collaborative initiatives, the Section on Healthy Ageing will work towards achieving the goals of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. By fostering interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from various fields, the section will promote healthy ageing practices and advance the well-being of older adults. By actively engaging in these endeavors, the Section on Healthy Ageing will play a pivotal role in creating an integrated approach to planning and service delivery with a focus on improving cross-sectoral coordination and alignment in the provision of a continuum of health services including the essential public health services thereby improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
The Healthy Ageing Section aligns with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, which aims to improve the lives of people and address the challenges associated with population ageing. This global strategy includes multisectoral action for a life-course approach to healthy ageing to foster both longer and healthier lives. By establishing this section, EUPHA can actively contribute to the goals of the UN Decade, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among public health experts working in the field of healthy ageing. This synergy will enhance the effectiveness of initiatives and policies aimed at promoting healthy ageing throughout the EU and beyond.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Translating Geroscience Discoveries into Public Health Practice
To effectively address the complexities of healthy ageing, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial. The proposed Section on Healthy Ageing will encourage collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from various disciplines, including geroscience, preventive medicine and clinical disciplines focusing also on the prevention of age-associated diseases, social sciences, city planning and technology. This interdisciplinary collaboration will facilitate the translation of geroscience discoveries into public health practice, promoting evidence-based interventions, and innovative solutions to enhance healthy ageing.
