Health and human rights of older persons: challenges and opportunities

Key challenge Exclusion of older people at 3 critical levels: 1. As individuals 2. In sectoral policy making 3. In human rights monitoring framework

1. Discrimination against individual older people

“We have to tell a lie when calling the ambulance.”

“They invent illnesses because they feel marginalised.”

“You are wasting the doctor’s time – you are not sick, just old.”

2. Exclusion from sectoral policy making

Invisibility in the data (1) HIV: 15 – 49 Violence against women: 18 – 49

Invisibility in the data (2) Available data 32 country survey: Use of health-care facilities: 50% Numbers of geriatric wards: 44% Older people’s health expenditure: 28% Government expenditure disaggregated by age: 19%

3. Invisibility in human rights monitoring framework

Attention by treaty bodies Treaty Body No. of references CEDAW 295 CESCR 75 CAT 5 HRC 4 CERD 2

Inconsistent attention CEDAW CESCR SR on IDPs SR on housing SR on E,S & A Ex. SR on indig. people Total no. Right to Health 38 15 4 - 2 1 60

Opportunities States Parties: periodic reporting Treaty Bodies: list of issues, constructive dialogues, concluding observations Special procedures UPR HRC: Consider suggestions from OEWG - special rapporteur & convention

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