The first World report on ageing and health calls for urgent, comprehensive public health action to address population ageing. The Report summarises current evidence, redresses common misconceptions and outlines a framework for action to foster Healthy Ageing focused on the new concept of functional ability. These investments in actions promoting Healthy Ageing will have valuable social and economic returns, both in terms of health and wellbeing of older people and in enabling their on-going participation in society. Other key messages of the Report underpin those of the upcoming WHO European Ministerial Conference on the life-course approach: early prevention to maximise functional ability and ensure supportive environments by effectively managing chronic conditions and developing systems of care to minimise loss.
