Like other parts of the globe, World Health Day was also observed in Pakistan on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organisation (WHO). Each year on its anniversary, the organisation selects a key global health issue and organises international, regional and local events on the day and throughout the year to highlight the selected area.
On this occasion, the WHO has called for an urgent action to ensure that at a time when the world's population is ageing rapidly, people should reach old age in the best possible health. World Health Day 2012 focuses on how good health can add life to years, enabling older men and women to not only live longer, but also to extend their active involvement in all levels of society.
The WHO highlights the need for countries to take steps to prevent non-communicable diseases, and to ensure that systems and services are in place to provide treatment and care when it is required. Many of these services are highly cost-effective like high blood pressure which is a key risk factor for both heart disease and stroke can be effectively treated for just a few rupees a year. Today, less than 15% of older people in low- and middle-income countries in need are receiving treatment for high blood pressure. The WHO has outlined four key actions that governments and societies can take now to strengthen healthy and active ageing including promote good health and healthy behaviours at all ages to prevent or delay the development of chronic diseases.
Besides, minimising the consequences of chronic disease through early detection and quality care, creating physical and social environments that foster the health and participation of older people and changing social attitudes to build a society in which older people are respected and valued.
Poor health is not the only concern people have as they grow older. Stigmatising attitudes and common stereotypes often prevent older people from participating fully in society. Older people make important contributions as family members, volunteers and as active participants in the workforce and are a significant social and economic resource.