Measuring the progress and impact of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030): framework and indicators recommended by WHO Technical Advisory Group

Overview

Global efforts to foster healthy ageing took a significant leap forward in 2020 when WHO Member States endorsed the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) at the Seventy-third World Health Assembly and declared 2021–2030 the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing at the Seventy-fifth United Nations General Assembly. This landmark commitment calls upon the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor the Decade’s implementation and report on progress through updates in 2023, 2026 and 2029. WHO, inconsultation with Technical Advisory Group for the Measurement of Healthy Ageing (TAG4MHA), developed this guidance document that presents a comprehensive monitoring framework and a core set of indicators to track the progress and impact of the Decade at all levels. It outlines a clear path for Member States to develop and strengthen their related M&E systems, ensuring they are equipped to monitor progress effectively and drive actionable improvements in healthy ageing initiatives.The success of the Decade depends on the implementation of actions and the establishment of robust national monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. A comprehensive measurement framework, with clear indicators, is key to turning data into actionable insights and ensuring that every action taken is measurable and impactful, as well as being aligned with national, regional and global goals.