• G20 leaders commit to promote prevention of ill health across the life course
• Among those aged 50+ in better-off countries, at least 16% of years lived with disability are largely preventable
• ILC calls on G20 Health Ministers to implement preventative interventions in national health systems

Following the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in Osaka last week, leaders have committed to promote “healthy and active ageing through policy measures to address health promotion, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases… over the life course”.

The International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK), the UK’s leading think tank on the impact of longevity on society, welcomes the G20 Governments’ commitment to focus efforts on prevention of ill health.

Following the launch of the “Prevention in an ageing world” programme at the World Health Assembly in May, ILC-UK has been calling on governments across the globe to make prevention a priority across the lifespan.

Research by ILC-UK reveals that among those aged 50 and over in high and high-middle sociodemographic index countries, at least 16% of the total number of years lived with disability for all diseases are attributable to largely preventable communicable and non-communicable diseases.

As demographic trends continue, ILC-UK’s analysis moreover predicts that 26,958,009 years will be lived with disability, resulting in tremendous losses to wellbeing and productivity.

As such, there is a clear need for health systems to include adults in mid and later life in health promotion programmes. Such interventions include targeted screening programmes, preventative medications, supporting people to adopt healthier lifestyles, vaccinations against communicable diseases and supporting people to manage long-term conditions.

Following the G20 Leaders’ pledge to promote prevention across the life course, ILC-UK will be organising a side event alongside the G20 Health Ministerial Meeting in Japan in October to further promote the inclusion of preventative interventions across all ages in health systems at the national level.

In response to the G20 Leaders’ Communiqué, ILC Director David Sinclair commented:

“Prevention isn’t just for kids. Especially in the context of demographic change, we need to make sure that preventative action spans right across the life course.“

“Our evidence has shown that preventing disease and limiting long-term impairment and the compounding impact of multiple diseases are both good for our health and will play an important role in supporting the economic sustainability of health systems.”

“As such, it’s very promising to see Leaders from across the G20 committing to a much-needed focus on prevention across the life course and we look forward to seeing preventative programmes rolled out in these countries.”

Notes

More information on the “Prevention in an ageing world” programme can be found here.

Contact

For press queries, please contact Lily Parsey on +44 7745 222 553 or lilyparsey@ilcuk.org.uk.

About ILC-UK

The ILC-UK is the UK’s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society, and what happens next.

We believe society has to adapt now so we can all enjoy the benefits of longevity.

We want a society that works for everyone, regardless of their age.

We know the numbers. We know the challenges. What happens next will define us for generations.

https://www.ilcuk.org,uk