A rising life expectancy across the world presents an opportunity to discuss how international standards can help support aging populations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) will hold a workshop in London on July 1, 2015, to discuss how stakeholders can integrate various best practices, experiences, and lessons on a global scale to maintain sustainable aging societies. The workshop is intended to foster the development an ISO-published International Workshop Agreement (IWA) on guidelines for integrated health and care systems and services for aging populations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that a dramatic increase in the life expectancy during the 20th century was attributed to numerous factors including disease prevention through immunizations, better nutrition, and better living standards. Projections show that older populations will live even longer in the future due to various societal advancements. Growing "aged societies" - a country with a population where more than 14 percent is over 65 years-old - and "super-aged societies" - with more than 21 percent of the population over 65 - require efforts for standardization strategies that ensure the well-being of these populations.
The British Standards Institution (BSI)—the UK's national standards organization-proposed the July workshop to facilitate in-depth discussions of solutions and potential collaborations to improve integrated health systems and methodologies integral to the aging population. The workshop was approved by ISO's Technical Management Board (TMB).
The workshop will be hosted by BSI Group at 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL, United Kingdom. As the U.S. member body to ISO, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages all stakeholders with an interest in aged societies to participate, including representatives of local and federal government, health and research services, innovation agencies, international organizations focusing on public health, elderly healthcare specialists, service providers, and product manufacturers. ANSI has posted registration details and the workshop agenda online.
For more information, please contact [email protected].