IFA in Stockholm, Sweden
Expert meeting on adult vaccination and adults with heart and lung conditions
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Chronic diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Europe, with a growing proportion of the population affected at a younger age. [i] In Sweden, cardiovascular disease accounts for almost 50% of all deaths [ii] and is most often experienced by those with other chronic conditions.
While the risks associated with VPDs in older at-risk populations is known in Sweden, the vaccine coverage for influenza in the 2016-17 season was only 49%, [iii] well below the target of 75% set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Commission in 2010. [iv] Of even greater concern is that “only 32% of those with known vaccination status who belonged to a risk group and needed intensive care during this season were vaccinated.”
Based on a drive to cultivate improved health and functional ability in at-risk populations, the IFA recently hosted the “Vaccination and the at-risk population of adults with heart and lung conditions” meeting (11-12 October) in Stockholm. This meeting brought together experts in the fields of public health, heart and lung conditions, ageing, immunization and bioethics with the purpose of focusing on solutions central to improving adult vaccination uptake in Sweden.
Presentations highlighted the central issue of poor awareness and lack of access to appropriate adult vaccines for at-risk populations whose health and well being is at risk from infectious diseases. Urgent attention is needed to emphasize the necessary enabling factors for increasing the priority of adult vaccination within organizations supporting people with heart and lung conditions.
Next Steps
Experts indicated the need to go beyond words to formulate actions to improve knowledge of and access to vaccination information and vaccines. These actions will substantiate the key messages and advance the investment of patient organizations in improving vaccination uptake rates.
Several connections were made between the IFA and organizations including the Swedish Heart and Lung Association and the European Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients’ Association to collaborate on future work to educate patients in their organizations on the importance of vaccination, including a possibility to integrate vaccination into health coach training and delivery at the Swedish Heart and Lung Association.
The IFA strives to be a point of contact for all those seeking information on adult vaccination. For more information on this meeting and future events and initiatives visit the adult vaccination Twitter (@vaccines4life) or contact Ms Jessica Rochman-Fowler.
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Deadline Extended:
World Health Organization Seeks Candidates for Senior Level Position
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The World Health Organization is seeking candidates for the following senior level position: Director of Ageing and Life Course (ALC). Vacancy reference #1804028. For more information on the position and to apply online please click below.
Deadline Extended to 1 November 2018.
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Updates from the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC)
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The 39 th Session of the UN HRC in Geneva was convened in September to review and discuss reports and situations related to human rights globally. This event included an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. This dialogue focused on the impacts of social exclusion and related challenges and protection gaps experienced by older persons, as described in the Independent Expert’s annual report.
During the 39 th Session, the HRC adopted a resolution (39/18) about the enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights. The resolution states that there will be a major focus on the rights of older persons during the 41 st Session of the HRC in June 2019, including an interactive panel and a report prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) on the efforts of UN agencies as well as implementation gaps in national legislation. Click here to read the full resolution.
Join the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older Persons (GAROP) here to learn more about how to help promote and protect the rights of older persons.
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Survey on the Decade of Healthy Ageing
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In 2016, 194 Countries adopted, at the World Health Assembly, aGlobal Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (2016 – 2030). Informed by the evidence in the World Report on Ageing and Health and aligned with the SDG’s, the Strategy called for transformative change.
Member States envisioned that change to be a world where people can live long and healthy lives. Governments realized that to achieve impact in countries we need a Decade of concerted action on Healthy Ageing. For the WHO, Healthy Ageing is defined as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.
But how can the WHO and external partners best support countries during the Decade?
The best starting point for answering that question is to understand:
- What are the issues most important to you, and
- What types of support, assistance and exchanges between countries you’d like to see.
You are invited by the WHO to complete the questionnaire below which will start to inform the focus of the proposal for the Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021- 2030 as well as the outline on how the WHO and external partners can effectively support country action.
This survey is available in English Français, Espanol and русский.
Please respond by 31 October
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Ending Ageism: Toward a world for all ages
30 October, 2018
(Tomorrow)
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The next WHO-IFA Age-Friendly webinar will focus on the impacts of ageism, exploring manifestations of ageism in various environments, showcasing good practice examples and engaging in a discussion of next steps.
Pre-register and prepare questions:
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SGA Africa 1st Annual African Regional Conference on Ageing
5-7 November, 2018
Abuja, Nigeria
Large numbers of older people in Sub-Saharan Africa are entering retirement age, and significant social support systems, including long-term care, have not yet been put in place. Expected outcomes include enhanced competence to design and engage innovative campaigns on core areas of inequality and discrimination at the national and regional level as well as discussing at a high level the platform on Sustainable Development Goals.
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World Pneumonia Day
12 November, 2018
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Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening illness that can cause serious complications in vulnerable populations, including older people and people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. Recognizing the risks of pneumonia across the life course is vital to raising awareness of the life changing impact of infectious disease, such as influenza, which can drive excess mortality from pneumonia in the older adult population.
Alongside partners, the IFA will make a formal statement and will join @Vaccines4Life all day on social media for conversations, videos and information on the importance of vaccination against pneumonia. Use the hashtag #WorldPneumoniaDayto raise awareness and show your support.
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World Diabetes Day
14 November, 2018
Join the IFA in raising awareness about measures for preventing and managing diabetes and its related complications in order to maintain health and functional ability in later life using the hashtag #WDD2018.
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AISCCON National Conference
29-30 November, 2018
Telengana, India
1400 delegates will be at the upcoming AISCCON national conference of senior citizens, which is held every year in India. The objective is to unite senior citizens and make them aware of their Human Rights.
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Older LGBTQI People
Call to Action
Commit to protecting and promoting the rights of older LGBTQI people, sign the Call to Action alongside a growing number of organizations and individuals.
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EyeSeeYou
Newsletter Sign-Up
Vision changes can have important implications for the everyday lives of older people, such as impacting their functional ability. Sign-up for the EyeSeeYou newsletter to stay up to date on the latest vision health news and learn more about screening, patient education and advocacy efforts.
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