Ageing and health in the Western Pacific

Globally, the proportion of people aged 60 years and above is growing faster than any other age group as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This brings both new challenges and opportunities for public health and socioeconomic development. Specifically, it will increase demand for primary health care and long-term care, require a larger and better trained workforce and intensify the need for cities and surroundings to be made more age-friendly. Investing in older people can enable more contributions of them to society at large, whether it be within their family, in their local community or to society more broadly.