University experts mark World Health Organisation’s Decade of Healthy Ageing with events programme
Oxford Brookes University is hosting a month of free virtual events this November to mark the World Health Organisation’s Decade of Healthy Ageing.
With over 70 researchers who are actively working on themes related to healthy ageing, Oxford Brookes experts and their research partners will deliver seminars, workshops and talks to illustrate the breadth and depth of action that we can take in order to age healthily.
Professor Paul Carding, Chair of the Healthy Ageing and Care Network and Director of the Oxford Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Research, said: “We are so proud to launch our Healthy Ageing Month which will showcase some of the key issues we face both personally and as a society.
“It will also spark important debates both within our region and at national policy level. This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community, to hear about visions and needs for the future, and to reflect on what we can all do, both as individuals and as a wider society to make this happen.”
Subjects covered in the programme include:
- Exercise
- Alcohol and nutrition
- Design of buildings and neighbourhoods
- The role of employers
- How to live well with dementia or a cancer diagnosis
There will also be sessions from key policy organisations such as the Centre for Ageing Better and the International Longevity Centre.
Speaking at the launch event Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better said: “This age shift we are seeing in the population is something a lot of us fear, or see talked about negatively. We are living longer than ever before, the change in life expectancy over the last century is truly staggering. A baby boy born in 2016 can now expect to see his 90th birthday. But I think this is something we should celebrate - advances in public health, science, medicine and improved living standards have created this social revolution that has the potential to benefit all of us, and us as a society - but only if we take action today.”
Towards the end of the month, there will be a Question Time-style panel discussion about the future of healthy ageing in Oxfordshire, with invited speakers Cllr Pat Kennedy, Oxford City Council Older Peoples’ Champion; Cllr Suzanne Bartington from Oxfordshire County Council, Cllr Craig Simmons, Lord Mayor, Oxford City Council; Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East and Cllr Jane Hanna OBE, Oxfordshire County Council.
MP for Oxford East Anneliese Dodds said: “I was pleased to be invited to speak at Oxford Brookes Question Time online event. I look forward to what should be an interesting discussion on the future of ageing. It is important that everyone in Oxford is supported to maintain their wellbeing as they become older.”
The programme runs online from until 30 November 2020.