Image The principles were released during the International Federation on Ageing's Seventh Global Conference on Ageing in Singapore,

Today, there are 600 million people in the world aged 60 years and over. This figure is expected to double by 2025 and to reach 2 billion by 2050. The vast majority of this population will live in the developing world.

Population aging is characteristically accompanied by an increase in the burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other age-associated mental health conditions, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and musculoskeletal problems. As a consequence, pressure on health systems worldwide will increase.

Early detection, appropriate intervention, management and follow-up of chronic conditions take place mainly at the PHC level. Older people already account for a sizable proportion of PHC patients, and as populations age and chronic disease rates climb, that proportion is expected to increase. PHCs are ideally positioned to provide the regular and extended contacts and ongoing care that older persons need at the community level.

"Supporting older people to remain healthy and ensure a good quality of life in their later years is one of the greatest challenges of the health sector in all countries," says Dr. Catherine Le Galès-Camus, Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization.

Image Opportunities missed by health systems to deal with or manage age-related chronic diseases will lead to increases in their incidence and prevalence, as well as increased complications, and may take resources away from other priorities, such as child and maternal health.

"An age-friendly health care center does not favor older people, but instead benefits all patients, in line with the slogan of the United Nations to create 'A Society for All Ages,'" says Dr. Alexandre Kalache, who coordinates WHO's activities on aging.