Thread by @UNDecadeAgeing

⚡️ 75th World Health Assembly Highlights: Noncommunicable Diseases (#NCDs) & #HealthyAgeing

The control & prevention of NCDs like stroke, cancers & diabetes form a significant part of #WHA75's agenda. What's their relevance to @UNDecadeAgeing? (thread) 🧵⬇️

#AddingLifeToYears

People around the 🌏 are living longer than ever before. This is good news: we now have an opportunity to be & do what we value for longer.

But our societies & environments still require significant transformations to help us maximise this opportunity. 👉 who.int/health-topics/…

Although we are living longer, our extra years are not necessarily being lived in good health.

In part, this is because the negative effects of living in unsupportive, unhealthy environments accumulate over time & often manifest in later life.

https://twitter.com/UNDecadeAgeing/status/1529417024283213824

We all wish to meet our basic needs; learn, grow & make decisions; be mobile; build & maintain relationships; and contribute to society throughout our lives.

Supportive environments (including good-quality health care) can help ensure we are adding life to all of our years ⬇️

We can think about #NCDs in the same way.

Research has identified the risk factors that can lead to developing NCDs.

These risks accumulate over time & our environments play a key role in preventing & controlling their effects, including in older age. ⬇️
who.int/health-topics/…

Let's look at an example: physical activity has been proven to help prevent & manage #NCDs, including in later life.

But to fully benefit, we also need to provide access to safe environments that enable people of all abilities & ages to be active ⬇️
who.int/health-topics/…

Remember: #HealthyAgeing isn't just about the absence of disease. We can minimise the risks of #NCDs but it may not be possible to eliminate them.

The right environments can also support us be & do what we value, no matter what conditions we may have. ⬇️
who.int/activities/cre…

Addressing #NCDs & fostering #HealthyAgeing both require a holistic approach that brings all sectors together—including & beyond the health sector.

What will you do over the next Decade to ensure everyone can enjoy longer 𝙖𝙣𝙙 healthier lives? ⬇️
decadeofhealthyageing.org