Worldwide Coalition Calls for Action to Transform “Aging Crisis” Into Prosperity

Principles Offer Path for Aging Populations to Become an Economic Growth Driver

NEW YORK CITY (June 15, 2011) – Transforming the worldwide “aging crisis” into an opportunity to drive global economic growth requires a fundamental shift in the policies and priorities of governments, corporations, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Recognizing this shift, the Global Coalition on Aging (Global Coalition) today issued a call to action urging the adoption of the “Global Principles on Population Aging,” representing seven core values to guide the necessary changes businesses, governments, communities, and individuals must undertake to maximize the opportunities of population aging.

“Aging populations brought on by increased longevity are a miraculous achievement of 20th-century medical science, offering societies both challenges and opportunities,” said Linda Fried, Dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “These principles provide a platform to build on those accomplishments – but only if they are embraced and acted upon by corporations, NGO stakeholders, and governments.”

Increased longevity and declines in fertility rates are creating the global shift towards aging societies. The 65 and older population in the G-20 countries is projected to increase by 124 percent between 2000 and 2030. Worldwide, this age group is projected to grow to nearly 2 billion, more than doubling its share of the global population between 1950 and 2050, with annual growth rates of 2.4 percent in developed countries and 3 percent in the developing world between 2000 and 2050.

“This unalterable demographic shift is already challenging our traditional institutions that as designed can only accommodate a fraction of the aging community they now serve,” said Michael Hodin, Executive Director of the Global Coalition on Aging. “These principles – the product of collaboration among our member companies – invite all stakeholders to address the demographic realities of our changing society. It is becoming increasingly clear that the governments, companies, and individuals who take action to turn aging from one characterized by dependence and disability to healthy and active will be the winners of the 21st-century competitiveness race.”

The principles include statements advocating public-private cooperation in the development of solutions, as well as the adoption of a holistic, optimistic view of aging. They represent the Global Coalition’s core focus areas:

  • Technology, innovation, and biomedical research;
  • Health and wellness;
  • Education and work; and
  • Financial security.

“Aging populations represent enormous untapped potential that, if effectively utilized, will help to grow the global economy,” said Baroness Sally Greengross, Member of the UK House of Lords, President of the International Longevity Centre United Kingdom and advisor to the Global Coalition. “The guiding principles provide a comprehensive approach to redefining the role aging populations play in society and ensuring longevity that is happy, healthful, and prosperous.”

The Global Coalition’s principles aim to challenge and provoke corporate and global leaders to rethink and reshape their actions to maximize the potential of population aging. By mid-century, the number of people over the age of 60 will outnumber children for the first time in history, vastly altering business strategies and societal norms.

“The world desperately needs a new mindset to address the challenges of aging populations, and widespread adoption of the principles is a critical first step in reshaping the political debate,” said Richard Blewitt, CEO of HelpAge International. “At a time when governments, businesses and individuals around the world must take action, these principles provide a critical framework and guide. This call to action is necessary for our global community and not, as many often presume, just a concern for the wealthy OECD countries. We are excited to help bring these principles to action.”

Click here to view Global Principles on Population Aging.

Latest Developments

We keep our members and partners in touch with the most recent updates and opinions in the worldwide dialogue on population longevity and related issues.

Best Practices for Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce

Employers are grappling with a myriad of workforce-related issues ranging from productivity to attracting and retaining talent, but many may be overlooking some seismic shifts that are reshaping the future of work: longevity, population aging, and the multigenerational workforce.

Brazil Must Fight Antibiotic Resistance

The threat posed by antimicrobial resistance is urgent and spares no country - including Brazil. According to The Lancet, 63 deaths per 100,000 are associated with AMR in Brazil and Paraguay, a rate that exceeds the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. AMR-associated deaths in Brazil are second only to cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

More Than Half of Americans are Unfamiliar with Chronic Kidney Disease, Survey Finds

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major blind spot for many Americans, a new survey suggests. The poll, conducted by the Global Coalition on Aging, asked 1,000 American adults about their understanding and perception of CKD. Though many respondents used the internet for medical information and had a regular doctor and blood work done once or twice a year, 58% of respondents said they were unfamiliar with the illness.

We Missed 100 Million Adult Vaccines – Here’s How We Get Back on Track

Like other pandemics throughout human history, COVID-19 has caused profound changes that are still rippling through our societies, even as people are understandably eager to move on. In fact, these impacts are all the more dangerous when they are largely ignored or effectively invisible. The decline in adult vaccination may be one of the most significant, as a new report finds that ~100 million doses were missed in 2021 and 2022 alone – reversing global progress towards widespread adult immunisation as a new standard of care in a world of more old than young.

New Analysis Shows Lost Ground on Adult Immunisation During the Pandemic with 100 Million Doses Potentially Missed

New data shared today by GSK, in collaboration with the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science and the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), estimate approximately 100 million fewer doses of some adult vaccines (excluding Covid-19 vaccines) were administered in 2021 and 2022 than anticipated, based on the global vaccination adoption trends observed from 2013 to 2020, compounding already low adoption rates pre-pandemic.

Going Beyond Applause: The Potential of Caregiving to Unlock Job Opportunities of the Future

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of caregivers – staff and family who provide care for older and dependent people to carry out activities such as eating or moving - catapulted to the front of our collective conscience. The daily applause for front-line care workers showed a high level of recognition for their incredible work and provided insight into how our health systems must change as our society ages. We need to continue to recognise caregivers as essential to our ageing society.

High-Level Forum on the Silver Economy 2023

Join us for the High-Level Forum on the Silver Economy 2023. Now in its fourth year, the Silver Economy Forum 2023, December 6 and 7, will explore aging at every stage of life, looking at the growing global Silver Economy through a multigenerational lens. Linking to the goals and aspirations of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, SEF 2023 will highlight key themes at the intersection of aging at every age, and the Silver Economy.