World Health Day - 7 April

For the first time in human history, the world will soon have more older people than children. The human race is ageing and we are unprepared. Unless we change the way we think and act about ageing, we will miss the opportunity to age in good health and to build a society where older people are respected and valued members of society. That is why this year the World Health Organization (WHO) is dedicating it's birthday - on 7 April - World Health Day - to healthy ageing.

Every year, World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. World Health Day is a global campaign, inviting everyone – from global leaders to the public in all countries – to focus on a single health challenge with global impact. Focusing on new and emerging health issues, World Health Day provides an opportunity to start collective action to protect people's health and well-being. It is an opportunity to engage in finding solutions that benefit us all.

"Good health adds life to years"

Ageing and health - to which each and every one of us can relate - is the theme of this year's World Health Day. Using the slogan "Good health adds life to years", campaign activities and materials focus on how good health throughout life can help older men and women lead full and productive lives and be a resource for their families and communities.

Populations around the world are rapidly ageing. This is a cause for celebration. In part it reflects our successes in dealing with childhood disease, maternal mortality and in helping women achieve control over their own fertility.
Challenges and opportunities

Ageing will also present both challenges and opportunities. It will strain pension and social security systems, increase demand for acute and primary health care, require a larger and better trained health workforce and increase the need for long term care, particularly in dealing with dementia.

However, the opportunities are just as large. Older people are a wonderful resource for their families, communities and in the formal or informal workforce. They are a repository of knowledge. They can help us avoid making the same mistakes again.

Indeed, if we can ensure older people live healthier as well as longer lives, if we can make sure that we are stretching life in the middle and not just at the end, these extra years can be as productive as any others. The societies that adapt to this changing demographic can reap a sizeable "longevity dividend", and will have a competitive advantage over those that don't.

Toolkit:

This Toolkit will help you plan activities to celebrate World Health Day in 2012. It includes the following materials:

•     information on ageing and health, including population trends;
•     key messages and calls to action;
•     ideas for planning and implementing events and campaigns;
•     a list of communications materials you can use;
•     tips on how to effectively engage audiences through social and traditional media; and
•     contacts for technical and communications support.

Anyone who wishes to organize World Health Day events or activities is welcome to use the Toolkit and its materials. Our partners include governments, members of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, and non-member cities and communities who wish to become age-friendly. Individuals, academia, professional and older people's associations, civil society and private sector organizations may also find inspiration for action on ageing and health.

Video:

Watch and share the official World Health Day 2012 video, and join the conversation on healthy ageing on Twitter #AddHealth2Life to be part of the change.

Links:

World Health Day - WHO

Secretary-General's message on World Health Day

WHO Department of Ageing and Health

Follow the campaign topic on twitter (@WHO), hashtag: #AddHealth2Life

Also on Facebook and Youtube