Discussions on healthy aging seem to be everywhere in today’s news. But, what does healthy aging actually look like in low- and middle-income countries, where older adult populations are growing fastest—and what lessons can we learn?
To help close that gap, HelpAge USA, in partnership with members of our global network and the National Academy of Medicine, facilitated community “voice” workshops in seven countries focused on healthy aging and the recommendations outlined in the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity. These workshops created space for older people to speak directly about what aging well means in their daily lives and how policies and systems could better support them. The workshops revealed a clear gap between the aspirations of the Global Roadmap and the lived realities of older people in low- and middle-income countries.
Key findings from this work are published in a new Perspectives commentary from the National Academy of Medicine, “From Frameworks to Action: Localizing Global Health for Older People Through Community Training.” The commentary shows how community-led training and dialogue can help translate global principles into real-world action and has already contributed to tangible policy impact, including the integration of older people into Rwanda’s national Community Health Workers Guide.
The commentary is co-authored by HelpAge USA’s Jane Buchanan, Elie Mugabowishema of global network partner NSINDAGIZA in Rwanda, and other global experts, and highlights lessons that can strengthen healthy aging efforts worldwide.