National policy, action plan, strategy or programme on ageing
Data type:
Percentage
Rationale:
National policies, action plans, strategies, or programmes on ageing are essential as they provide a comprehensive framework to address the diverse needs of an older population. They ensure health, well-being, economic security, social inclusion, and rights protection while guiding efficient resource allocation, promoting innovation, and fostering international cooperation.
Definition:
A national policy sets the overarching principles and guidelines to promote the health and well-being of older persons, integrating ageing into broader national health and social policies. A national plan outlines specific, actionable steps and timelines for implementing the goals and objectives defined in the national policy, detailing who will do what and by when. A national strategy provides a long-term, comprehensive approach to achieving healthy ageing goals, including setting priorities, allocating resources, and defining metrics for success. A national programme consists of coordinated initiatives and activities designed to implement the policy, plan, and strategy, often involving specific projects, services, and interventions to support older people.
Effective governance of Healthy Ageing requires the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and plans that involve all stakeholders, and pay explicit attention to equity and the inherent dignity and human rights of older people.
Disaggregation:
WHO Region and Income Group
Method of measurement
Calculating this indicator requires country-reported data on national policies, action plans, strategies, or programmes. At the global level, these data are periodically collected through the Decade Process Evaluation Survey.
Method of estimation:
The percentage of countries in the region that responded "Yes", "No" or "Not Reported".
This indicator primarily reflects the existence of formal documents rather than their actual implementation or impact. While a country may have developed such policies or strategies, this does not ensure they are effectively executed, adequately funded, or integrated into broader health and social systems. The indicator also overlooks the quality and comprehensiveness of these documents, which can vary significantly in scope, specificity, and adherence to best practices. Additionally, it does not measure the real-world effectiveness of these policies in improving outcomes for older populations or consider the level of political commitment and stakeholder engagement in their development. In decentralized countries, policies or strategies may be implemented at subnational levels, adding complexity to the assessment and potentially affecting the indicator's accuracy.
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