World Health Organisation releases first global report on ageism

Statement below from the EveryAGE Counts national coalition-led campaign against ageism in response to the World Health Organisation’s first global report on ageism released today. Dr Marlene Krasovitsky, co-Chair and Director of EveryAGE Counts was a peer reviewer of the WHO report. EveryAGE Counts has been included in the report as an example of a promising campaign to end ageism.

“The World Health Organisation’s report confirms the growing body of evidence that ageism has harmful physiological and psychological effects on our health. It also has huge economic costs.

“The WHO has provided clear and powerful evidence of the pervasiveness of ageism and its devastating impacts.

“We need government, business and other sectors to step up and work together to strengthen Australia’s leadership to end ageism.

“We know what works to reduce ageism, and I am proud to say that EveryAGE Counts has been included in the WHO’s report as an example of a promising campaign aiming to end ageism. If we are serious about all Australians, now and in the future, ageing well we must act to end ageism.

“This starts on the ground in our communities with conversations about changing attitudes towards older people and older age.  On the back of this report, EveryAGE Counts is reiterating its call for a sustained Commonwealth government funded public awareness and education campaign.”

For more about the EveryAGE Counts campaign to end ageism, see https://www.everyagecounts.org.au/about