A new report on the right to health of older persons has been presented at the UN:
Thematic study on the realization of the right to health of older persons presented by the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Anand Grover
Here is the summary of the report, which a full text of it can be found in the following link:
http://www.globalaging.org/agingwatch/health%20special%20rapporteur.pdf
In the present report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 15/22, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Anand Grover, considers the realization of the right to health of older persons.
Noting the significant pace of the world’s ageing, the study urges a paradigm shift according to which society should move beyond a simple search for healthy ageing by its citizens and begin working towards active and dignified ageing, which is planned and supported just like any other stage of the individual’s life course. Active and dignified ageing for older persons requires reframing society’s concept of ageing to put more focus on the continued participation of older persons in social, economic, cultural and civic life, as well as their continuous contributions to society.
The report underlines that the right-to-health approach is indispensable for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health-related policies and programmes to mitigate consequences of an ageing society and ensure the enjoyment of this human right by older persons. Accordingly, health facilities, goods and services should be made available, accessible, affordable, acceptable and be of good quality for older persons.
The report also notes that encouraging older persons to remain physically, politically, socially and economically active for as long as possible will benefit not only the individual, but also the society as a whole. It further concludes that the promotion and protection of human rights of older persons should be of concern to everyone because ageing is a process that will apply to all.
