30 September 2015 – The number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 and require radical societal change because “unfortunately， 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60” contrary to widespread assumptions， according to the United Nations World Health Organization （WHO）.

In advance of the International Day of Older Persons， which falls on 1 October， WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan said “most people， even in the poorest countries， are living longer lives， but this is not enough.”

“We need to ensure these extra years are healthy， meaningful and dignified，” Dr. Chan said.

In his message for the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons， Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said older persons are an “enormous asset” to society and called on governments to make cities and human settlements inclusive， safe， resilient and sustainable so that no one – of any age – is left behind.

A report released today by WHO stressed that governments must ensure policies that enable older people to continue participating in society and that avoid reinforcing the inequities that often underpin poor health in older age.

Contrary to widespread assumptions， WHO said the report finds that there is very little evidence that the added years of life are being experienced in better health than was the case for previous generations at the same age.

“Unfortunately， 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60，” said Dr. John Beard， WHO Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course. “But it could be. And it should be.”

http：//www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp？NewsID=52070#.ViSaNTQrIqJ