About the initiative

The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is an opportunity to work together to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live. As the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing approaches its 20-year milestone, there is an opportunity to generate renewed momentum for action.

The Decade sets an ambitious vision, but leaders all over the globe are already working to transform the world to be a better place to grow older. Across governments, civil society, academia, business, media, and local communities, these leaders are trailblazers in what they do and how to do it.

The Healthy Ageing 50 recognises their contributions and showcases their work as inspirational exemplars of what individuals are already doing to make the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing’s goals a reality.

The first ever Healthy Ageing 50 has now been announced. Scroll down to explore the list of inspirational leaders.
PRESS RELEASE

Who we were looking for

We aimed to name and honour 50 leaders who have contributed to fostering healthy ageing in their respective area of work, whether within administrations, organisations, universities, businesses, local communities, and more. The selected leaders do the following:

• Have found new ways to improve the lives of older people, their families or communities
• Engage locally and nationally, promoting coherence across government policies
• Lean on business, ensuring that industries help foster healthy ageing for all and not just for a select few
• Reimagine the future, not only by harnessing new technologies and trends but also by drawing on experiences and lessons of older generations
• Promote and integrate deeply one or more of the following ways of working essential to realising the Decade’s objectives: putting older people, their families and communities at the centre of activities; nurturing leadership and capacity building; connect stakeholders; support innovation to accelerate implementation; improve, harness, and respond to data, research, and knowledge.

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Selection process

Nominations were made under the four action areas of the Decade:

1. Combatting Ageism: Changing how we think, feel and act towards age and ageing
2. Age-friendly Environments: Ensuring that communities foster the abilities of older people
3. Integrated Care: Delivering integrated care and primary health services responsive to older people
4. Long-term Care: Providing access to long-term care for older people who need it

Nominations were reviewed by an expert panel composed of representatives from the United Nations Inter-Agency Group on Ageing and the World Economic Forum. The first ever Healthy Ageing 50 was announced by a high-level UN panel in September 2022.

In line with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing’s guiding principles of inclusivity, equity, and leaving no one behind, at least 50% of the selected leaders are women, and come from low- and middle-income countries as defined by the World Bank.

Important notes and disclaimers
 

• The Healthy Ageing 50 is a UN Decade of Healthy Ageing advocacy initiative that aims to inspire others by celebrating individuals (and not their organizations nor affiliated entities).
• Recognition as part of the Healthy Ageing 50 does not constitute formal endorsement of the leaders by any specific UN agency, group, or individual.
• Recognition as part of the Healthy Ageing 50 does not constitute formal endorsement of the leaders' organizations or affiliated entities by any specific UN agency, group, or individual.
• Recognition as part of the Healthy Ageing 50 does not constitute or imply the award of any competitive advantage by any UN agency, group, or specific individual.
• Recognition as part of the Healthy Ageing 50 may not be used in, or in association with, any product marketing, promotional, or commercial activities, including, without limitation, in, or in association with, advertisements, product brochures, company-sponsored web sites, annual reports, or other non-educational publications or distributions.

Contact us

If you have any questions or clarifications about the Healthy Ageing 50 initiative, please use our Contact Us form or email: healthyageing50@decadeofhealthyageing.org.