In June of this year Dr. John Beard, Director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Department on Aging and Life Courses, announced the launch of the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities.

Research from 33 cities, confirmed the importance for older people of access to public transport, outdoor spaces and buildings, as well as the need for appropriate housing, community support and health services and the need to foster the connections that allow older people to be active participants in society, to overcome ageism and to provide greater opportunities for civic participation and employment.

This is aligned with the vision of AgeEsteem of “a society where people of all ages are respected as contributing members of society”.   I was privileged to meet with Dr. Beard following my talk on Age Esteem at the WHO headquarters in Geneva last month to discuss our common concerns around issues of aging.  Very energizing and encouraging.

Bonnie Fatio

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Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem, will speak at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland on Does Age Matter? on September 7.

Age is important to the work of the WHO.  In 2007 WHO created the Department of Ageing and Life Course (ACL).  ACL focuses on helping people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it.

AgeEsteem is aligned with the WHO in its focus to help people to realize their potential.  Age esteem is an essential element to remaining healthy and reaching your potential as you age no matter where on our globe you live.

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This year’s World Health Day is focused on making cities healthier.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) states, « There are solutions.  Urban planning can promote healthy behaviours and safety through investment in active transport, designing areas to promote physical activity and passing regulatory controls on tobacco and food safety. Improving urban living conditions in the areas of housing, water and sanitation will go a long way to mitigating health risks.  Building inclusive cities that are accessible and age-friendly will benefit all urban residents.

Such actions do not necessarily require additional funding, but commitment to redirect resources to priority interventions, thereby achieving greater efficiency. »

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Nourishing Factors

What do you feed your body?  Do you nourish it, starve it, or overload it?

A balanced diet is essential to our age-esteem and self image.  An important aspect of how we feel about ourself, whether we lack energy and feel old or are alert and dynamic is the food we eat.

At a recent luncheon I attended  Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of eating healthfully to an audience of fairly affluent diners.  A trend that is influencing health in the 21st century is the globalization of unhealthy lifestyles.

We are dealing with excesses and deficiencies.   It isn’t because we have a full plate that it is not lacking in the nutrients that we need.  Add to this the men and women who starve themselves to be size 0 and who are depriving their bodies of necessary aliments.  Then on the other side we have the overweight and obese who are also missing the right nutrients even though they eat plenty.

When in doubt, add fruits, vegetables, lean meats and fish.  They are good for your health and nourish your age-esteem.

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