Ageism is a pervasive and serious form of stereotyping and discrimination that has a significant negative impact on one’s health. Ageism is everywhere – in popular culture, in language, and policies such as mandatory retirement ages. These attitudes and practices marginalize older adults and leads to their exclusion from society. Research shows that negative attitudes towards ageing can even shorten one’s life by 7.5 years.

To mark the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, WHO is organizing a live Q&A session via Facebook on this year’s theme, “Take A Stand Against Ageism”.  One of our experts will take questions directly from the audience. Questions can also be submitted in advance to healthyageing@who.int with the subject line “Facebook Live”.

Topic: Ageism, population ageing and health

Speaker: Dr John Beard, Director, Department of Ageing and Life Course, World Health Organization

When: Friday, 30 September 2016 at 16h00 Central European Summer Time (10h00 Washington DC, 15h00 London, 22h30 Beijing)

How to connect: Visit http://www.facebook.com/WHO.