PAHO and Partners Launch Report Series to Support Healthy Aging Strategies in the Americas

Washington, DC, (PAHO): A series of reports that seek to contribute to the development of healthy aging strategies in the Americas was launched today by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with other United Nations agencies and the Inter-American System.

The series The Decade of Healthy Aging in the Americas: Situation and Challenges presents an overview of different aspects of aging and the health situation of older persons in the region, where life expectancy reached 77.2 years in 2019.

"These reports constitute a significant advance in the consolidation of data and information on population aging and on the health and well-being of older persons in the Americas," PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said. "Through them, it will be possible to identify, understand and address many of the challenges and opportunities that profound and accelerated aging will present for the Americas," he said.

The region is aging rapidly. It is estimated that, by 2030, there will be more people over the age of 60 than under the age of 15. And while life expectancy at birth for both sexes increased by three years between 2000 and 2019, men and women in the region live on average 9.7 and 12.3 years in poor health, respectively.

Poverty and inequality influence the life course and the conditions in which people spend their old age, a factor also highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fact that people are living longer reflects progress, but the challenge now is to ensure that most of these years are lived in better health. For this to happen, strategies must be implemented not only during old age but throughout the entire life course. It is also key to provide favorable environments for the elderly and integrated, person-centered health care, with an emphasis on primary care.

The series is launched within the context of the United Nations Decade for Healthy Aging (2021-2030) with the aim of providing accurate and reliable information so that countries can advance strategies, actions and policies that promote healthy aging of all populations.

The reports focus on various topics, including the human rights of older persons, their access to new technologies and the economic context of aging, as well as the situation of indigenous older persons and older persons within the LGBTIQA+ community. Several articles present information on the impact of COVID-19 on older people with a view to protect this population in future emergencies.

"We cannot imagine inclusive and sustainable development if we do not put people at the center of strategies. This includes both older people and the next generations," said the PAHO Director.

The series is the result of collaboration between PAHO and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).l

Jamaica Expo 2023: The Caribbean’s Premier Trade Show

Hosted by the Jamaica Manufacturers’ and Exporters Association Limited since 1971 Expo Jamaica is the Caribbean’s number one exhibition and tradeshow showcasing manufacturers, service providers,

Declaration / continued from page 1 responsible for Crime and Security. primary producers, exporters and tourism industry under one roof.

At the Forty-Fourth (44th) Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Nassau, The Bahamas, from February 15-17, 2023, Heads of Government agreed that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would host a special symposium to consider crime as a public health concern. This follows the decisions the Heads of Government took in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 to convene such a meeting, the plans for which were delayed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Region’s method of addressing crime and violence from a social prevention perspective and a criminal justice perspective has been the traditional approach for many years.

As a multi-sectoral tradeshow we attracted over two hundred and nineteen (219) exhibitors, five hundred and sixtyeight (568) buyers, and twenty-one

The conventional approach of the criminal justice system focuses on retribution, imprisonment, rehabilitation, and restoration to restore harmony and reintegrate people into society. However, this has resulted in consistently escalating levels of crime and violence which have been an ongoing concern of CARICOM Heads of Government for several years.

Given CARICOM’s deep concern about the unprecedented levels of crime, Heads of Government resolved to increase focus on the determinants of crime by taking a public health approach which would first identify the causal factors and preventions where possible, followed by interventions.

The Regional Symposium emphasized a holistic system approach, particularly a whole of Government and whole-of-society approach, involving and collaborating with all relevant agencies, organiza- thousand four hundred and forty-two (21,442) consumers at our last staging in 2018.

This year’s event will be held from April 27-30. For more information, visit www.expojamaica.com. l tions, and sectors at different levels, including civil society, business, community, families, and individuals.

The topics discussed over the two days included: Violence and Health in the Region; Crime and Violence: A Public Health Approach; Mental Health; Transnational Organized Crime; Using Litigation to Protect Gun Violence –Global Action on Gun Violence; TransBorder Crime; Education and Youth, Domestic Violence; Economic Inequalities as the Driver of Crime and Violence; Community approachesRestorative Justice; Sports and Mediation; and the Judicial PerspectiveLegislation and Juvenile Justice Reform.l CARICOM Press Room

Read the Declaration at www.cawnyc.com