IF GOOD HEALTH IS NEEDED TO REMAIN ACTIVE, ALSO REMAINING ACTIVE HELPS TO PRESERVE GOOD HEALTH, SECRETARY-GENERAL STATES
Press Release
SG/SM/6937
OBV/90
IF GOOD HEALTH IS NEEDED TO REMAIN ACTIVE, ALSO REMAINING ACTIVE HELPS TO PRESERVE GOOD HEALTH, SECRETARY-GENERAL STATES
19990323 In Message for World Health Day, 7 April, Kofi Annan Reaffirms All Human Beings Are Equal in Dignity, Regardless of Origin, Gender or AgeFollowing is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of World Health Day, 7 April:
"Active ageing makes the difference" -- the theme of this year's World Health Day observance -- applies, first and foremost, to the 580 million men and women throughout the world who are now 60 years of age or older. But it also concerns each one of us, regardless of our age: first, of course, because we will all grow old, and, secondly, because over the past century the average lifespan has increased by 30 years.
Indeed, within 50 years, older persons will outnumber the very young. That is why 1999 has been designated as the International Year of Older Persons. And it is why the question of the ageing of the global population will figure prominently on the agenda of the special session of the General Assembly to be held this summer, to review progress in implementing the programme of action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994. We are, in short, in the midst of a demographic revolution whose social and economic consequences we cannot ignore.
Meeting this challenge will mean changing commonly held views of older persons. It will mean no longer thinking of the aged population as a burden, but rather as a treasure trove of resources acquired over a lifetime. It will mean recognizing the vast potential of older persons and the invaluable contributions they can make to society.
To realize that potential, older persons must have the means. If good health is needed to remain active, it is also true that remaining active helps to preserve health. This implies integrated action on several fronts, from health care and social services to employment, continuing education, leisure and information.
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And if a longer life is to be a richer life for all, investment must be made at all stages of life. Sadly, not all people are born with the same opportunities, and inequalities tend to perpetuate themselves and be reinforced over time. To be poor, to have a low level of education, even to be a woman: such factors often reduce the chances of having an active and fruitful old age. In the twilight of life, as in childhood, a significant share of these inequalities result from injustices that we can and must combat with all our strength.
World Health Day 1999 is an occasion for us to reaffirm that all human beings are equal in dignity, regardless of their origin, gender or age. It is also an opportunity to recall that the ultimate goal of all United Nations efforts is to contribute to the progress of humanity by helping each individual, without exception, to develop fully at all stages of life.
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