Event highlights
Ageing is living: second EPW2 hearing
On 31 January 2025, 900 people – representatives from Member States, professional associations, civil society and the general public – shared their perspectives on key challenges and solutions for supporting healthy ageing in Europe at the second in a series of public hearings to shape the next European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2).
Opening the hearing, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, acknowledged the fact that the WHO European Region is ageing – with projections indicating that there will be 3 times more people aged 80+ by 2050. He spoke of what older people value, emphasizing their wish to be treated with dignity and to sustain social connections, and called for a paradigm shift in our perception of what ageing means – underlining that ageing is living and that a focus must be placed on ageing healthily.
Rethinking the intergenerational social contract
Following the opening, Professor Pieter Vanhuysse, a leading expert in political demography, ageing and welfare at the University of Southern Denmark, delivered a keynote address on intergenerational solidarity. He spoke of how European societies function through intergenerational resource transfers, meaning those of working age support younger as well as older age groups through taxation for the welfare state. Yet he noted that we underestimate the contribution of families in terms of time and care, both for children and older adults. Professor Vanhuysse made a plea to recognize and reward the value of care as a crucial investment for the sustainability and growth of societies.
Lightning reflections on ageing and health
A series of “lightning talks” offered different perspectives on the issue of ageing in good health.
Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, repeated the plea to value and invest in care for all those who need it and to provide care in the community. He also called for a re-evaluation of government policy and public investment towards well-being, particularly in difficult times.
Heidrun Mollenkopf, President of Age Platform Europe – one of Europe’s largest civil society organizations of and for older people – outlined the many ways in which older people contribute to societies; for example, as teachers in sports and arts, as mentors for young professionals and as advocates for issues, such as protecting the environment and democracy. She called for consolidated action to address ageism and discrimination and underlined that everyone has a right to participate – therefore, systems and services should be designed to be inclusive.
Ana Carriazo, Senior Advisor at the Regional Ministry of Health of Andalusia, Spain, described the coordination mechanism in place at the regional level in Spain to ensure that different areas of government are aware of and work together on health-related activities. She explained that successful coordination requires political will, technical input and participation from older people themselves.
Dana-Carmen Bachmann, Head of Unit, Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission, outlined the vision behind the European Care Strategy, developed in collaboration with the European Union, International Labour Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and WHO, and launched 2 years ago. The strategy emphasizes the need for investment in a life-long approach to care and recognizes the importance of both formal and informal care work.
Gulnaz Kachkynovna Azhymambetova, Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer of Kyrgyzstan, described the country’s efforts to protect and retain the health workforce and attract more people to the profession, underlining that no technology can replace the care and compassion of nurses and midwives.
Luka Delak, a junior doctor from Croatia and youth advocate, spoke of the need for intergenerational solidarity, commenting, “Ageing is not a limitation, it is a gift. We can learn, grow and connect at any age. Let us build bridges between generations and create communities that value every stage of life.”
Dr Oral Ataniyazov, a Senator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the country’s focus on healthy and active ageing and described the concept of mahallah, a local community structure of self-governance that contributes to preserving culture, tradition and welfare.
Lisa Warth, Chief, Population Unit, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, spoke of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and explained that breaking down silos and working across the United Nations family was paramount to ensure healthy ageing. She also commended WHO for its thought-leadership on ageing issues, from combatting ageism to focusing on integrated care and long-term care and advocating for age-friendly environments.
Interactive discussions
The second half of the hearing was composed of 7 break-out sessions that allowed all participants to contribute to discussions on specific age-related topics. Ideas, insights and experiences were gathered through an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported tool.
1. Strengthening prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): eliminating barriers to good health at all stages of life
Participants emphasized that early and lifelong prevention is key, starting from maternal and childhood health interventions to school-based programmes and community-driven initiatives. Integrating policies across sectors was seen as essential to breaking down silos and ensuring systemic approaches to NCD prevention.
2. Building inclusive communities: enabling environments for lifelong health and well-being
Discussions during this breakout session centred on how long-term and primary health care must evolve to better support an ageing population. Participants stressed that a person-centred approach is fundamental, ensuring that care enhances independence and quality of life. This requires integrating health and long-term care services in alignment with other essential services, such as housing, transportation and education, to create a supportive system for older people who have care needs.
Informal and professional caregivers were also a key focus with an emphasis on the need for adequate training, incentives and digital tools to foster collaboration and a seamless care environment.
3. Transforming care ecosystems: towards a continuum of community-oriented health and long-term care service
This session examined the importance of leadership and capacity-building in fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for ageing populations.
A lifelong approach to health literacy was identified as a crucial factor, helping to ensure that older adults can navigate and benefit from age-friendly environments. The conversation also focused on eliminating discriminatory language, which often reinforces negative stereotypes about ageing. Innovative initiatives, such as social prescribing in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, "Senior Cool Days" in Denmark and lifelong mobility programmes, were highlighted as examples of successful interventions that promote engagement and well-being.
4. Addressing persistent health and care workforce shortages in an ageing workforce and an ageing Europe
This session explored how health workforce strategies must adapt to meet the needs of an ageing population. Participants underscored the importance of broadening care teams beyond doctors and nurses to include informal caregivers.
Creating supportive work environments was deemed essential, with recommendations to improve occupational safety, introduce flexible working conditions and establish career pathways that attract and retain health workers. Addressing migration was another key theme.
5. Tackling gaps in rural health – rethinking opportunities for ageing well
In this session, participants highlighted the specific challenges faced by older people living in rural areas, while also identifying opportunities for better, more inclusive care.
Ensuring the well-being of older people in rural areas requires both immediate and long-term action. Today, many older individuals in remote areas face significant social and economic vulnerabilities, often exacerbated by stigma, discrimination and a lack of access to essential services.
Addressing these issues means strengthening community networks, expanding health-care access through primary care services and mobile teams, and leveraging digital solutions to keep older people connected and engaged. Countries such as Kyrgyzstan and North Macedonia are already working to enhance services in remote areas, while others, such as Sweden, have successfully implemented mobile care teams and innovative digital solutions that allow older people to manage their health independently while remaining part of the local economy.
6. Who will pay for it? How does population ageing affect financial sustainability and affordable access to health care?
Participants in this group examined the financial sustainability of health systems in the context of ageing. They underlined that, while ageing presents financial challenges, it does not necessarily lead to unsustainable health financing – policy choices are the determining factor.
Discussions highlighted that, if public funding is insufficient, individuals will bear the burden through increased out-of-pocket payments, potentially leading to catastrophic health spending. A financial sustainability simulation provided insights into how different financing models affect health-care affordability in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Spain.
7. Never too old to be of sound mind – towards mentally healthy and socially connected older generations
In the last breakout session, participants challenged the notion that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of ageing and highlighted the urgent need to address social isolation and loneliness.
The discussion underscored the role of mobility and rehabilitation in keeping older adults socially engaged, with interventions to prevent falls seen as a critical factor in breaking the cycle of isolation. Digital technology was framed as both an opportunity and a challenge – while it can foster connectivity, its design often fails to be age-inclusive.
Conclusion and next steps
The general consensus during the discussions reinforced that ageing should be viewed not as a burden but as an opportunity to improve health and care systems through innovation, collaboration and person-centred care. Mainly, ageing is living and a privilege to be nurtured and valued. The insights gathered will inform WHO/Europe’s EPW2, ensuring that policies and strategies reflect the real needs and experiences of ageing populations across the Region.
WHO/Europe will continue engaging stakeholders throughout 2025 to refine and implement these priorities, fostering a future where ageing is truly seen as living.
Event notice
Europe’s demographic shifts, including population ageing and changing urban–rural dynamics, demand evidence-based, equitable and forward-looking responses from the health sector. These changes form a complex reality that calls for new models of care, intergenerational solidarity and reduced health inequities.
This meeting will bring together Member States, partners and civil society representatives to explore how these trends are reshaping health systems, identify strategic reforms and promote meaningful participation to guide policies well beyond 2030. By acting now, participants can help ensure that all communities benefit from longer, healthier lives.
The objectives of the meeting are to:
- establish a unified agenda that fosters a shared understanding of how evolving demographic trends affect societies and health systems;
- guide evidence-based and timely reforms and investments in sustainable, inclusive, and innovative health and care models; and
- strengthen collaborative accountability among WHO/Europe, Member States, partners and civil society to promote healthy ageing, ensure equity and build resilient communities beyond 2030.
The feedback gathered at the hearing will contribute to the development of the second European Programme of Work, 2025–2030 (EPW2).
Demographic shifts in the WHO European Region
Europe’s demographic landscape is changing rapidly. The Region has reached an historic milestone, with the number of people aged 65 and older now surpassing those aged 15 and under. This shift, combined with declining birth rates, urbanization, migration and evolving socioeconomic patterns, is reshaping how we approach health, care and equity.
Longer lifespans are a testament to our collective progress, yet many individuals spend additional years in poor health, often compounded by social and economic disparities. These trends are not a crisis to fear, but a call for nuanced, evidence-based strategies.
Addressing these challenges demands acknowledging that different populations – whether younger or older, urban or rural, wealthier or lower income – experience distinct health needs and priorities. By fully embracing the values of solidarity, equity and participation, we can develop policies that meet individuals where they are and support health throughout the entire life course.
Evidence shows that timely investments and well-crafted interventions can benefit everyone, from promoting healthy ageing at the individual level to fostering sustainable economic growth and well-being across entire communities.
About this hearing
This hearing encourages participants to move beyond simplistic narratives. Although ageism and misconceptions about older adults persist, research shows that population ageing itself exerts only a modest influence on health expenditure compared to innovation, pricing and other systemic factors.
By confronting biases and placing the focus on improving access, care models and preventive interventions, we can ensure that no one’s health is compromised by outdated assumptions or unjust resource allocations.
As we look ahead, the need for strategic reforms could not be more pressing. The next 5 years will be critical in laying the groundwork for transformative change. Policies that invest in early interventions, reallocate resources and recognize the importance of intergenerational cooperation can help societies adapt to demographic changes and meet evolving health-care demands.
Addressing inequities based on income, gender, ethnicity or migration background will be central to achieving equitable health outcomes for all.
With ageing populations increasingly concentrated in urban environments, the design of cities, the structure of communities, and the composition of the health and care workforce require renewed attention. The implications extend beyond city borders, affecting rural areas, digital inclusion, and the overall sustainability of health and welfare systems.
This hearing will convene Member States, partners and civil society representatives to shape policy responses that transcend traditional approaches. Together, participants will help chart a course that not only supports universal health coverage and healthy ageing now, but also sets a strategic vision that endures well beyond 2030.
Your voice is vital: join us in laying the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future.
A series of hearings to inform EPW2
WHO/Europe is organizing a series of hearings as part of the development process for the EPW2. These hearings provide a platform for Member States, civil society representatives and other partners to share insights, priorities and recommendations for shaping a unified health agenda for the Region up to 2030 and beyond.
The feedback gathered through these sessions will inform the EPW2, ensuring that it addresses key health challenges and promotes equity and resilience. The hearings are conducted online, enabling broad participation and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
To sign up for the hearings, please click here and for further information, write to epw2@who.int: