Health and care for older persons in Africa

Roseline Kihumba, HelpAge International
Douglas Lackey, HelpAge International

The population of older persons in Africa is expected to rise drastically due to increasing longevity. The percentage growth of those aged 50 and over in sub-Sahara Africa will be the highest of any region of the world by 2030, with an expected increase of 108%. Despite this gains in life expectancy, greater proportion of older people are living with increased risk of ill health and disability. According to WHO, ageing is the first of four drivers of NCD predominance in developing countries. However, the design and delivery of health and care system rarely consider their needs, resulting in high levels of premature mortality or long term disability. There is need for the health and care system to meet older persons’ rights to health and long term care. HelpAge will share evidence, policy and programmatic interventions which address the health and care for older people in Africa, enabling older people to live healthy and productive lives.