Global Ageing and NCDS Richard Blewitt CEO HelpAge International rblewitt@helpage.org 9 March 2012 ADI International Conference London

A face of the global demographic transition/megatrend of ageing. Ageing is a megatrend

The future that’s here already Implications of the demographic trend

Age trends by region Developing world getting there faster, oldest old are women and fastest growing group within increase in numbers of older people especially in Asia

Greater health spend in old age (Source: WHO/GTZ) Health greatest burden unmet costs plunging generations into crisis most of the health needs in older age are ncd related

Who we work with – our focus on generational interdependence

Age Demands Action on NCDs

HelpAge Network 94 Affiliates in 70 countries From the local to the global, emphasis on partnership, voice and participation for change Network actors are: Affiliates Sisters Partners Strategic Allies Regional and country offices London office Importance of network and partnerships to HelpAge with ADI we have a MOU very important to us our structure parallels that of ADI - finding common synergies is core to our goal of an age friendly and age inclusive world - really pleased to link to NCD Alliance to ensure action on our common cause of NCDs Types of network within the HelpAge Network: Branch network Part of network share visual identity Learning and sharing network Potential/actualised connections Campaign and advocacy network Good Practice network

Common challenges Ageing seen as stigma - we fear ageing Dementia feared and still hidden and unrecognised Old age treated as a time of dependence and vulnerability Toleration of human rights abuse in old age and times of fragility Absence of old age specific rights instruments Ageing seen as ‘a problem’ by policy makers and citizens Persistent policy focus on children, the young and able-bodied obscures need for lifecourse and age-inclusive interventions “Despite the weight of scientific evidence, the significance of population aging and its global implications have yet to be fully appreciated” U.S. Department of State March 2007 Finding links

Action on health ‘No Age Limit to good health’ Affordable and age appropriate health services Support for social and informal care Health system reforms to focus on NCDs Funded access to services for older people

Power of Partnership With ADI, Global Coalition on Ageing , the NCD Alliance, AARP, ILC, Age UK, World Wide Palliative Care Alliance, HelpAge Affiliates in different regions Joint action on NCD Political Declaration – results are: Ageing recognised as a global driver of NCDs Alzheimer's added as a key NCD challenge Discriminatory language of "premature” death replaced with preventable morbidity Social protection included as a key response Awareness built with policy makers of ageing and NCDs Action on NCDs to be built into national primary health programmes   Success of partnership – to shape response and inform advocacy Together we lobbied NCD Alliance (as the recognised civil society body for the UN process)to be inclusive of the whole life-course. Acknowledge positive partnership and willingness of NCD Alliance to listen and act together on political declaration on NCDs and follow up . Together we lobbied NCD Alliance (as the recognised civil society body for the UN process)to be inclusive of the whole life-course. Acknowledge positive partnership and willingnees of NCD Alliance to listen (

Partnership next steps Joint work to influence the WHO targets and indicators to combat NCDs Indicators must apply across the life course action; remove all arbitrary age cut-offs e.g. breast cancer screening 35-49  World Health Day April 7th - launch of WHO/ADI global report of dementia National action to secure NCD follow up - Age Demands Action on Health In-country partnerships between HA Affiliates & ADI country associations; Ageways guest-edited by ADI Programme partnerships - 10/66 research programme Joint interventions e.g. promotion of the "helping carers to care" training programme at community level   Opps also include national consultations on post MDG follow up – age friendly and age inclusive world requires action on NCDs across the life course and the inclusion of all in national consultations MIPAA plus 10 consultations - health a key area and core concern