The Right to Health of Older People

Abstract

A focus on the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (hereinafter, "the right to health") draws attention to the health needs of older people, including the most marginalized among them. Many factors that influence vulnerability or impede the enjoyment of health and access to quality services result from an inability to freely exercise these human rights. A human rights approach can help to address the legal, social, and structural barriers to good health for older persons, clarifying the legal obligations of State and non-State actors to uphold and respect these rights. However, despite growing impetus for action, this area has historically received limited attention. Drawing on practice examples from different regions, this article unpacks the meaning of the right to health and other related human rights of older people in practice, covering both health care and underlying determinants of their health. Questions of availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality are highlighted from the perspective of older people's health and well-being. The article brings together knowledge, principles, norms, and standards from the human rights law, health, and ageing arenas. By making links between these arenas, it is hoped that the article fills a gap in thinking on how to achieve the progressive realization of the right to health of older people and the effective promotion and protection of their other related human rights, which are crucial for the enjoyment of health.

Global reach of ageism on older persons’ health: A systematic review

“…We used the WHO definition of health, which incorporates structural-level social environments that can influence it, such as the workplace and health care settings [26,27].…”

Older persons’ right to health – a challenge to international law

“…Advantage should be taken of the achievements of the doctrine working groups and experts, mainly of various bodies and international institutions, including the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CESCR, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as well as non-governmental organizations. International institutions have carried out huge work analysing States’ reports, organising visits to countries and, finally, indicating barriers which prevent or hinder the use of the right to health by older adults (Baer et al 2016). The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing is an invaluable resource in this sphere, with its recommendations for actions and its priority directions, especially priority direction No.…”

“…It also stipulates determinants of health, including access to safe and potable water, adequate sanitation, housing, and healthy occupational and environmental conditions (Baer et al . 2016: 208). Except for Section 2a, all the factors pointed out in Article 12 are of significant value as determinants of the health of older people.…”

“…Finally, high-quality care requires skilled, competent and empathic medical staff and care-givers as well as high-quality health services (Baer et al . 2016).…”

Using Structural Equation Modeling to Propose a Model for Shopping Complex Design Based on Universal Design Concept

“…Universal design is a design style that attempts to serve a wide range of users irrespective of their abilities and sociodemographic features [16]. In 1997, the Centre for Universal Design with the cooperation of a group of American experts developed the UD and its principles.…”