January 2020
Age-Friendly Global Village at IFA 15th Global Conference on Ageing
IFA is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to be part of the Age-friendly Global Village at the 15 th Global Conference on Ageing, 1 st - 3 rd November 2020 at the Hilton Hotel and Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

WHOs Age-friendly Cities and Communities Program is rapidly growing around the world and this conference is a point of connection of learning and exchange cultures, generations, and places.

The Age-friendly Global Village is a marketplace where delegates can meet each other informally, ask questions on a one-to-one basis, discuss the details of programmes, and network in a colourful and relaxed setting. Most importantly, it provides a place to showcase initiatives as
well as capture and share knowledge.

We hope through this Village and other “conference moments” such as the Age-friendly Summit to foster innovative dialogue that creates a deeper understanding of what it takes to create an environment that enables older people to do what they have reason to value.

Apply for your exhibitions space now as booths will be limited to 30 in the Age-Friendly Village .
Harmful effects of ageism on older persons’ health found in 45 countries

In the largest examination to date of the health consequences of ageism, or age-based bias, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have found evidence that it harms the health of older people in 45 countries and across 5 continents. The study included over 7 million participants.

Yale Professor  Becca Levy  was asked by the World Health Organization to lead the analysis as part of its newly launched  Global Campaign to Combat Ageism , which is supported by 194 countries. Levy is a professor at the Yale School of Public Health and in the Yale Psychology Department.
IFA Annual Report 2019
Vaccination in France: Changing the Pu blic
Perception
27 January 2020
08:00 - 09:00 AM EST

In follow-up to the expert meeting convened by IFA in Lyon, France in December 2020, this interactive French-language forum is an opportunity to discuss among interdisciplinary peers the basis for prioritizing adult vaccination at the national level, and to share good practices and next steps for the French context. 
MOOC Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement for the Implementation and Review of the 2030 Agenda (2020 - 1st ed)
This massive open online course (MOOC) is designed in the context of the preparation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) as part of an effort to strengthen the capacities of Governments to engage in an effective and meaningful way with MGoS (Major Groups and other stakeholders) as they implement and review progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Release of First-Ever National Clinical Guidelines on Substance Use Disorders among Older Canadian
Canadian healthcare providers now have the tools they need to better support the prevention, assessment and treatment of older adults at risk of, or living with, substance use disorders. The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH) officially launched 4 sets of Clinical Guidelines on Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults today.

According to the Honourable Deb Schulte, Federal Minister of Seniors “One in seven seniors has experienced a substance use disorder in their lifetime. The first-ever national guidelines will help us provide better care to Canadian seniors, as well as their families and caregivers, with valuable information that will enable them to make the best decision for their health. This is an important step forward in serving the healthcare needs of Canadian seniors.”
Fighting Vision Loss with DR Barometer
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a sight-threating complication of diabetes, is among the leading causes of blindness and vision loss at the global level.
The DR Barometer Community is a global action network of thought leaders and organizations who are working together to improve the vision health outcomes of adults with diabetes through interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. It aims to be the global point of connection for ‘evidence-to-action’ around diabetes-related vision complications.
This year the DR Barometer is pleased to bring you a new webinar series sharing updates on practice recommendations as well as providing an opportunity for dialogue between experts and Community Members. 
As a central driver for change in policy and practice in vision health as it relates to diabetes，a specialised and essential ‘onboarding workshop’ to formally establish three DR Barometer Communities of Practice (CoP) namely: (1) Patient Education and Empowerment; (2) Guidelines and Protocols; and (3) Coordinated Care will be convened on 13-14 March 2020 in Zagreb, Croatia. 
Stay up-to-date on the latest webinar offerings and DR related news by joining the DR Barometer Community today. 
Video Launch: The Influenza Problem
Following the buzz of the IFA-led expert meeting "Fighting the Flu through Targeted Awareness Campaigns" in Berlin, a film was produced by  eHealth Digital Media  and  IFPMA  of Dr Bram Palache on influenza vaccination. Before formally launching the video to a wider audience, it was important for us to evaluate whether the film had the ability to effectively change behaviour. Thank you to over 160 individuals who completed the survey to provide feedback. The responses were fascinating, and overall positive, with a total of 60% of respondents who had not received their flu shot stating they are more likely to be vaccinated after watching the film.
 
A recurring theme outlined in responses was that a more personal, "story-telling" approach, in addition to this video, may be useful to advocate influenza vaccination, including discussion of benefits vaccination can have not only on you but family and loved ones around you. The IFA, eHealth Digital Media and IFPMA truly appreciate your responses and will incorporate all that we have learnt so far into future communication strategies to complement this video.
Expert Meeting
IFA-IFPMA Network Meeting “Creating an Action Plan to Address Gaps in Global Influenza Control
Geneva, Switzerland,
20-21 January 2020  
Influenza has life threatening consequences for children, older adults and those with chronic comorbid conditions. While vaccination is a critical measure in reducing the impact of this infectious disease, the low and diminishing uptake rates around the world should be of serious concern. Despite these achievements, significant gaps in actions exist in global influenza control. For these reasons, the IFA and IFPMA will convene a Network Meeting gathering key organizations to share steps they have taken to promote influenza vaccination to those most at-risk, and the challenges they have faced along the way. The group will work together to form tangible actions that can be taken forward to address gaps in global influenza control.
Upcoming Meeting
IFA Expert Meeting: Mobilizing Patient Groups to Change Vaccine Policy
Brussels, Belgium, April 2020
In April 2020, the IFA will convene an expert meeting in Brussels, Belgium to address the urgent and real need to educate and mobilize at-risk populations on the simple action of being vaccinated that could save their lives and the lives of those around them. To do so, IFA will bring together leaders of member associations representing groups at-risk to vaccine preventable diseases, together with professional associations and representatives of the Joint Action on Vaccination to inform policy at the EU level and contribute to new and strengthened partnerships and broader coalition building.
The 15th Global Conference on Ageing

Four (4) days, four (4) themes; twelve (12) sub-themes and two (2) exhibition spaces so there will be many opportunities to interact, listen, learn and showcase the important work that you do. Entitled “Rights Matter” and they really do if we want to protect the rights of older people across the globe, the 15 th Global Conference on Ageing is your opportunity to give voice to our senior citizens. Addressing Inequalities; Age-Friendly Environments; Combating Ageism; and Enabling Functional Ability are themes that can resonate with all.
 
IFA is also pleased to announce that on each day of the conference, immediately following the daily keynote speakers and plenary, a one hour Presidential Symposium will be showcased featuring some of the global thought leaders and experts on critical issues, often overlooked in the policy arena:

Presidential Symposium on Vision Health: Innovation and Optimism 2020 - The primary goal of the Presidential Symposium on Vision Health is to highlight the profile of the critical importance of current and future trends in vision health and the impact on older people.

Presidential Symposium on Brain Health: Seizing Opportunity and Driving Change 2020.
This Presidential Symposium on Brain Health will raise the profile of the importance of current and future trends in brain health with presentations and a moderated discussion with global leaders in neuroscience, cognitive reserve, and ageing. 

Presidential Symposium on Vaccination: Access, Equity and Prevention
The Presidential Symposium on Vaccination will facilitate learning and to promote dialogue on the importance of equitable immunization program strategies, and critical actions in addressing system-based barriers to adult immunization.