Ageing and health (Resolution)

30 REGIONAL COMMITTEE: FORTY-NINTH SESSION (2) to support where possible country initiatives which develop the concepts of New horizons in health; (3) to continue to work with countries to develop country-specific indicators and to support Member States to improve their capacity to collect, analyse and compare data on New horizons in health indicators; (4) to develop a strategic plan for the development of information systems in the Region, incorporating methods of data collection, data harmonization, dissemination of information, data analysis and utilization, and human resource assessment, and to present the strategic plan to the fiftieth session of the Regional Committee. Ninth Meeting, 18 September 1998 WPRlRC49/SRJ9 WPRlRC49.RII AGEING AND HEALTH The Regional Committee, Recalling resolutions WHA32.25, WHA35.28, WHA40.29, WPRlRC32.RI5 and WPRlRC36.R23 on health of the elderly and WPRlRC47.RI2 on ageing and health; Having considered the progress report of the Regional Director on ageing and health;l Acknowledging Member States' increased awareness of the consequences of ageing populations and their efforts to formulate policies and to develop or strengthen programmes for the health of older persons; Noting that a number of Member States have not yet adopted policies to promote and protect the welfare of older persons in society; Further noting that 1999 will be the International Year of Older Persons; Aware of the emerging concerns such as the increasing trend towards nuclear families, rapid urbanization and the gender imbalance in the older segment of the population; Recognizing that popUlation ageing will be one of the most important health, social and economic challenges to face future generations; Recognizing also the potential to increase the valuable contribution older persons make to society; 1. URGES Member States: (1 ) to continue to give due attention to the needs of older persons for health and health care; (2) to review systematically their current policies and the development and provision of health services for older persons, especially in so far as they address the emerging concerns identified above; lDocument WPRfRC491l4 Rev. I. REPORT OF TIfE REGIONAL COMMITTEE 31 (3) to improve the collection and standardization of data on ageing and health; (4) to plan for and implement activities undertaken to mark the International Year of Older Persons in 1999 and to report on these activities to WHO; 2. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to continue to support countries in their efforts to promote the quality of life and well- ~eing of the Region's ageing population through approaches such as promotion of healthy ltfestyles throughout ltfe and development of community-based programmes or services for older persons; (2) to facilitate and support the sharing of information and experience on promoting the health of older persons; (3) to ensure that due consideration is given to the economic implications of ageing populations; (4) to promote the retention of appropriate traditional care and positive social values and practices for older persons; (5) to report on activities to mark the International Year of Older Persons to the Regional Committee at its fifty-first session in 2000. WPRlRC49.RI2 WHO FELLOWSffiPS The Regional Committee, Ninth Meeting, 18 September 1998 WPRJRC49/SRl9 Recalling resolutions WPRlRC13.R2, WPRJRC21.R6, WPRJRC22.Rll, WPRJRC28.RI6, WPRJRC30.RI7, WPRJRC32.RI3 and WPRJRC40.R9 on fellowships; Having considered the report of the Regional Director on WHO fellowships! and the information document Rapid Follow-up Study on WHO Fellowships and Study Tours, Western Pacific R . 2 eglOn; Acknowledging the progress made in addressing the issues raised in the Rapid Follow-up Studies and evaluations; Further noting that evaluation is hindered by the fact that some candidates do not provide clear statements of measurable objectives and that the termination of studies report (Form WHO 635) does not provide sufficient measurable data; Noting with concern the strain on WHO's resou~ces caused by increasing tuition fees and the imposition of fees by some countries for hosting or arrangmg programmes; IDocument WPR/RC49I1S. 2Document WPR/RC491INF.DOC.l2. 30 REGIONAL COMMITTEE: FORTY-NINTH SESSION (2) to support where possible country initiatives which develop the concepts of New horizons in health; (3) to continue to work with countries to develop country-specific indicators and to support Member States to improve their capacity to collect, analyse and compare data on New horizons in health indicators; (4) to develop a strategic plan for the development of information systems in the Region, incorporating methods of data collection, data harmonization, dissemination of information, data analysis and utilization, and human resource assessment, and to present the strategic plan to the fiftieth session of the Regional Committee. Ninth Meeting, 18 September 1998 WPRlRC49/SRJ9 WPRlRC49.RII AGEING AND HEALTH The Regional Committee, Recalling resolutions WHA32.25, WHA35.28, WHA40.29, WPRlRC32.RI5 and WPRlRC36.R23 on health of the elderly and WPRlRC47.RI2 on ageing and health; Having considered the progress report of the Regional Director on ageing and health;l Acknowledging Member States' increased awareness of the consequences of ageing populations and their efforts to formulate policies and to develop or strengthen programmes for the health of older persons; Noting that a number of Member States have not yet adopted policies to promote and protect the welfare of older persons in society; Further noting that 1999 will be the International Year of Older Persons; Aware of the emerging concerns such as the increasing trend towards nuclear families, rapid urbanization and the gender imbalance in the older segment of the population; Recognizing that popUlation ageing will be one of the most important health, social and economic challenges to face future generations; Recognizing also the potential to increase the valuable contribution older persons make to society; 1. URGES Member States: (1 ) to continue to give due attention to the needs of older persons for health and health care; (2) to review systematically their current policies and the development and provision of health services for older persons, especially in so far as they address the emerging concerns identified above; lDocument WPRfRC491l4 Rev. I.