Happy Holidays illustration - older people celebrating a holiday meal in winter

From Toronto, Canada, to all our dear readers,

we wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Front Page

Save the Date for the 16th Global Conference

Universal Health Day - 12 December

On 12 December, join us to demand action on universal health coverage and call on leaders to invest in health systems and primary healthcare for all that leave no one behind. Our lives, livelihoods and futures depend on it!

December Headline

Featured

IFA @ Health Summit

IFA was well represented by Secretary-General Dr. Jane Barratt, and program manager Katrina Bouzanis at the Friends of Europe Health Innovation Summit to discuss person-centred systems for the future.

Friends of Europe Health Summit - Dr Jane Barratt

Advocacy and Knowledge

Research

Brain Health Survey to be extended by request

Due to public request, the Brain Health Survey will remain open until December 16th! The IFA is inviting Canadians over 18 years old to share their opinions on brain health and cognitive decline.

This insight is crucial in identifying gaps in knowledge and information sources.

Take the Survey

Vision Health

Biosimilars in Ophthalmology

“We have trust in our doctors who take an oath to do no harm. We depend upon them to determine the best treatment for the condition, so why do some policies restrict their ability? While biosimilars provide greater options for the patient, mandatory non-medical switching (NMS) of ophthalmic medications may negatively impact those whose vision is stable and or improving using the originator,” states Dr. Jane Barratt.

Monthly Calendar

NGO Committee on Ageing - webinar banner

Today's Webinar

Older Persons' Rights

Longevity is a triumph of development, medical science and healthcare. Ageing is a cause for celebration. And yet, many of older persons’ specific rights are mostly invisible under international law. What do rights of older persons mean?

Ms. Bethany Brown, Human Rights Advisor at the International Disability Alliance, speaks about the rights of older persons and the right to live independently.

Adult Vaccination

Next Council Conclusions

EU health Ministers met at the end of November, under the Czech Presidency of the European Council, to discuss the European institutions' commitment to the vaccination policy. Dr. Jane Barratt will speak at the upcoming webinar, which is intended to be a moment of reflection to observe and discuss the outcome of the situation, also based on the documents that came out of the expert meeting held on November 21-22.

Sponsors and Partners

Opportunities at the 16th Global Conference

IFA Global Conference Sponsorship Prospectus banner

Being a sponsor at the IFA 16th Global Conference on Ageing is about being part of challenging the norm, transforming the ordinary and being the change. The IFA 16th Global Conference on Ageing is a platform to share knowledge, create opportunities for cross-sector, cross-disciplinary partnerships, and communicate and drive policy change from the local to global to local.

News from the Field

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - IFA banner

Time to take action for equity to achieve #HealthForAll

The IFA commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.

To mark the occasion and the release of the Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities, we will feature Mr. Darryl Barrett - the WHO Technical Lead of the Disability Programme - as our guest speaker at the IFA Global Café on December 9 at 7:00 a.m. EST.

Previously on IFA Global Café

"(...) the only lesson we learned was that we don't like to learn lessons" - Prof. Ross Upshur in conversation with Dr. Jane Barratt on how the system failed older persons when they needed it the most during the pandemic, during a discussion on how public health ethics could aid in a more equitable inclusion of older adults.

Watch the recording

"Design has such a power! Design can enable us, or design can disable us, it is simple as that" a profound reflection by George Lee on the impact of design for older persons as she talked about reframing ageing from negative to positive, along with using such opportunity to lead to business growth.

Watch the recording

Meet our Guest Artist

Ritesh Rohan (front page illustration)

My name is Ritesh. I am a doctor – undergraduate in zoology and biotechnology and a Bachelor of medicine and surgery (MBBS) – and an artist with a Diploma in visual arts and communication. Exposure to diverse fields of education empowered me with a passion for life, inspiring me to pursue a path to blend the essence of science and art.

@theshadesofmeaning

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