How to create resilient, adaptive, and inclusive urban environments for older citizens is the subject of a newly launched policy brief by WHO/Europe and the Healthy Ageing Task Force (HATF) from the WHO Healthy Cities Network. “City leadership for age-friendly environments in the post-pandemic era” is targeted at planners, policy-makers, and politicians, and draws on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies disproportionately impacted older populations, prompting cities to develop innovative solutions to address survival, equity, adaptation, and inclusion. The report identifies five crucial lessons to inform future health emergency responses.
1. Build resilience together. City leadership during the pandemic demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated systems combining various sectors and government levels. This collaborative approach is essential for future preparedness and response.
2. Adopt a resilience cycle. Experiences from the pandemic should shape a continuous cycle of preparedness, response, and recovery to enhance resilience against future health crises.
3. Adopt an all-hazards approach. Given limited resources, cities must employ mechanisms developed during the pandemic to prepare for and respond to a range of health emergencies.
4. Invest in community infrastructure. Long-term investment in social, physical, and economic infrastructures is vital for building age-friendly cities, as evidenced by HATF cities.
5. Ensure older people have a voice. Effective policies must earn the trust and support of older citizens. Their voices should be heard and acted upon, ensuring their needs are met and their contributions valued. The report underscores the importance of not leaving the older population behind in city planning and emergency responses. “Older adults should not always be perceived as vulnerable; they bring a lifetime of experience that is invaluable during crises. By including them in emergency planning and creating age-friendly environments, we ensure no one is left behind and build stronger community resilience even in emergency contexts,” said Dr Yongjie Yon, Technical Officer on Ageing and Health in WHO/Europe’s Division of Country Health Policies and Systems. Download the report, here:
https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2024-8409-48181-74811