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 BodyNo. of references CEDAW295 CESCR75 CAT5 HRC4 CERD2

Inconsistent attention CEDAWCESCRSR on IDPs SR on housing SR on E,S & A Ex. SR on indig. people Total no. Right to Health

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

14 | HelpAge International | Presentation title | Author’s name | November 17,