A/HRC/18/37
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
4 July 2011
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Eighteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Thematic study on the realization of the right to health of
older persons by the Special Rapporteur on the right of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard
of physical and mental health, Anand Grover
Summary
In the present report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council
resolution 15/22, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the
highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Anand Grover, considers the
realization of the right to health of older persons.
Noting the significant pace of the world’s ageing, the study urges a paradigm shift
according to which society should move beyond a simple search for healthy ageing by its
citizens and begin working towards active and dignified ageing, which is planned and
supported just like any other stage of the individual’s life course. Active and dignified
ageing for older persons requires reframing society’s concept of ageing to put more focus
on the continued participation of older persons in social, economic, cultural and civic life,
as well as their continuous contributions to society.
The report underlines that the right-to-health approach is indispensable for the
design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health-related policies and
programmes to mitigate consequences of an ageing society and ensure the enjoyment of
this human right by older persons. Accordingly, health facilities, goods and services should
be made available, accessible, affordable, acceptable and be of good quality for older
persons.
The report also notes that encouraging older persons to remain physically,
politically, socially and economically active for as long as possible will benefit not only the
individual, but also the society as a whole. It further concludes that the promotion and
protection of human rights of older persons should be of concern to everyone because
ageing is a process that will apply to all.
GE.11-14361