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Save the date from June 27th to 30th and be part of the 16th Global Conference on Ageing hosted by the International Federation on Ageing. Join us in the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand, where renowned thought leaders, innovators, and experts will gather to delve into the most pressing and transformative topics in the realm of ageing and health.
This year's conference is set to be groundbreaking as we explore cutting-edge themes that are revolutionizing our approach to healthy ageing in the 21st century. Discover how digital technologies are reshaping healthcare and improving outcomes for older adults. Gain valuable insights into the specific health needs of older women and the empowering strategies being implemented. Explore the secrets to maintaining and enhancing physical and cognitive function as we age. Learn about the crucial role of immunization in safeguarding the health of ageing populations. Envision a world with age-friendly environments that prioritize inclusivity, dignity, and overall well-being.
Prepare to be inspired by our dynamic lineup of expert speakers who will ignite thought-provoking discussions and spark new ideas. Engage in interactive panel sessions, expand your professional network by connecting with like-minded individuals, and become an active participant in shaping the future of ageing and health.
Take advantage of this remarkable chance to stay ahead of the curve in the cutting-edge realm of aging. Don't delay, register today and guarantee your spot at this essential gathering—a remarkable experience that guarantees intellectual stimulation and unparalleled excitement!
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Pre-Conference Master Classes | |
Experts from around the world will convene at a closed meeting to discuss and share best practices on integrated long-term care models, aiming to enhance understanding and improve the quality of life for older adults by strengthening connections between formal and informal care. | |  |
Discover the transformative potential of the UN Decade on Healthy Ageing platform as they provide an insightful overview of its objectives, initiatives, and collaborative efforts aimed at promoting active and dignified ageing worldwide. | | |
This masterclass is a fast, efficient, and impactful course designed to empower advocates with the tools to move, touch, and inspire others through masterful speech, enabling them to make a difference in all areas of life. | | |
Karios Clubhouse™ interactive dance party webcast, highlighting its ability to mitigate isolation, foster a sense of community, promote health, and build intergenerational and intercultural relationships. | | |
The International Federation on Ageing has secured a room block at the prestigious Marriott Marquis Bangkok, ensuring delegates the best price available. As part of this exclusive offer, attendees will also enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning, adding convenience and value to their stay. With this arrangement, IFA aims to provide delegates with a seamless and enjoyable experience during their time at the conference. | |
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IFA Launches Podcast Series on Healthy Ageing | |
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IFA is proud to announce the launch of its podcast series “Reframing Healthy Ageing - A Series of Interactive Dialogues on the Intersections of Health and Well-being of Older People”, in collaboration with Amgen. Hosted by Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General of IFA, the “Reframing Healthy Ageing” podcast takes an in-depth look at the challenges and strategies to improving health and social systems that ultimately impact the function and quality of life of current and future generations of older people.
Featuring esteemed guests, such as Prof. Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School, and co-author of “The 100 Year Life” and “The New Long Life”, Ms. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, and others, the podcast provides a platform to think beyond ageing and examine intersecting issues that contribute to the burden on healthcare systems, societies, and individuals. The overarching themes of the series highlight the need for re-orientation of health and social systems towards prevention and healthy ageing.
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The IFA will be launching a technical report on Evidence to Action: A review of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs). This comprehensive study on 34 NITAGs was conducted to better understand the process rigour, transparency, accountability, and composition of experts in line with the life-course approach to immunization among national vaccine committees.
Furthermore, this study was conducted to help influence and shape a high level review of NITAGs and the integration of the WHO Immunization Agenda 2030. Find out more on the V4L webpage!
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This May, IFA celebrated vision health month through engagements with thought leaders from ageing and vision health space to understand and apply interdisciplinary guidance and good practices in Canada’s Biosimilar landscape to support access to comprehensive, person-centred vision care.
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In conversation with Dr. Keith Gordon
IFA’s Secretary General, Dr. Jane Barratt was in conversation with Dr. Keith Gordon, Senior Research Officer of the Canadian Council of the Blind to “Explore current vision health policies in Canada and what the future holds for Canadians and eye health.” The dialogue helped shed light on recent biosimilars policies and their impact on patient care.
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Impact of Emerging Policies on the Vision of Older Canadians
With speakers, including Mr. Michael Reilly, Executive Director of the Alliance for Safe Biologics Medicines and Ms. Sylvie Castonguay, Executive Director of the Association Québécoise de la Dégénérescence Maculaire. The webinar aimed to inform policies and practice underpinned with the principles of safe, effective, and appropriate treatment, developed by the treating physicians in consultation with their patients.
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IFA recently published an opinion editorial titled "Physicians, not policies, should determine appropriate patient care" in the Zoomer Wellness e-newsletter. The article brings attention to the introduction of ophthalmic biosimilars in Canada which marks an important change in policy whereby governments are dictating non-medical mandatory switching (NMS) from the reference biologic to the biosimilar, resulting in a significant and direct impact on patient care.
The IFA encourages you to learn and share insights from the interview, webinar, and opinion editorial with your networks as a collective effort to raise awareness about the vision health of older Canadians, importance of eye health, prevention of vision loss, and improving policy and practice to ensure appropriate and timely vision care for all.
IFA’s Eye See You campaign and DR Barometer Program aim to mobilize evidence to influence policy and practice around ageing- and diabetes-related vision complications to advance person-centred vision care.
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Hearing in Later Life at the IFA Global Conference
The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing highlights the importance of collaborative actions to improve the quality of life of older people. Hearing is an important element of healthy ageing and is recognized as a global issue by the WHO World Report on Hearing.
Building the social and economic case for integrated people-centered ear and hearing care (IPC-EHC) service delivery within national health plans for universal health coverage, as well as the promotion of hearing screening and early intervention for older persons, are central themes for the two complementary symposiums, sponsored by Cochlear Ltd., ‘The Integration of Hearing in Health Systems’ and ‘Innovation, Technology, and Hearing’.
The two symposiums will bring together experts across disciplines and sectors, toward a common agenda supporting collaboration to improve hearing health policy and practice, as well as draw key connections across intergovernmental agendas, to build solidarity for the World Report on Hearing, healthy-ageing environments, and person-centered integrative care.
Learn more about the world report on hearing here.
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The Implementation of the African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing
Through continental efforts to address the challenges resulting from an ageing population in Africa, the African Union (AU) has developed and launched the Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing strategy.
In partnership with the African Union, the International Federation on Ageing will be hosting a symposium at the IFA 16th Global Conference on Ageing in Bangkok, Thailand. This will be a unique forum for African member state representatives and the AU commissioner officials to examine and learn about current challenges, barriers, and opportunities to the implementation of the African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing.
Visit www.ifaconf.ngo to learn more about the IFA 16th Global Conference and follow @IFAgeing to like, share, and join the conversation on healthy ageing environments across the world.
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Development of AVAT Case Study
Following up on the Expert Meeting held in Prague earlier this year in March for the Adult Vaccination Advocacy Toolkit (AVAT), the IFA is pleased to present an update on next steps. This meeting has provided the opportunity for the development of a case study for the AVAT. With the unique nature of this meeting, there were many good examples and best practices from meeting delegates, in addition to the meeting itself providing examples of how to use the AVAT policy toolkit for adult vaccination advocacy.
The expert meeting in Prague held by the IFA with the European Ageing Network (EAN) brought to light the many barriers that adults in the Czech Republic face with getting vaccinated, in addition to the policy changes that may ameliorate this. As such, the meeting allowed for certain aspects of the AVAT to not only be highlighted but also how it could be used to help advocate for vaccination policy change. A brief example of how this meeting reflected the purpose of the AVAT is in the way it echoed the intended widespread use of the AVAT, by involving diverse sectors and disciplines for advocacy. It is only with the interest and commitment from different types of associations, organizations, and individuals, that advocacy for change in vaccination be thoroughly implemented in society. The case study will describe how to use certain aspects of the AVAT more in depth, by using aspects of the meeting as real-life examples.
There will also be the incorporation of useful resources for this case study. These resources are being developed post-meeting and will provide key stakeholders within the Czech Republic with knowledge capacity to mobilize vaccination advocacy and policy change for its adult population.
While the Case Study is under development, the AVAT policy toolkit is available to download on the IFA’s Vaccines4Life website:
https://www.vaccines4life.com/avat3/
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AMR Patient Summit
The IFA is thrilled to have participated in the recent 2023 AMR Patient Summit in Brussels, Belgium where we contributed to game changing conversation regarding one of the most urgent public health threats according to the World Health Organization, AMR. AMR which stands for stands for antimicrobial resistance refers to medicines that are used to prevent or treat infections caused by germs such as, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when these microbes change over time and no longer respond to medicines.
As a result of this resistance infections have become harder to treat and can lead more often to severe illness and death. While this is an issue that can effect anyone at any age, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible given their increased risk of infection and reliance on antimicrobial treatments. Despite the fact that AMR, which is often referred to as a silent epidemic, is projected to surpass cancer as a leading cause of death by 2050 with a projected 10 million plus deaths per year, action and investment remain suboptimal.
This sobering reality underscores the urgent need to increase awareness and understanding of the actions we can take to reduce the threat of AMR including better antimicrobial stewardship, which refers to the responsible use of antimicrobials and increased support for the development of new antimicrobials, given the declining efficacy of current therapeutics and the lack of innovation seen in recent decades.
Tackling AMR will require a whole of society response and represents a collective responsibility towards ensuring current and future generations of people around the world are able to live in good health, and have access to effective medicines for infections that were once easily treated!
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