While health policy remains a national competence, health related issues are increasingly addressed at the European level. In March 2005, the Spring Summit agreed to extend the Open Method of Coordination to the field of health and long term care, making the health of citizens, including older people, a key focus of concern at both EU and national levels.

In the area of health, AGE Platform Europe defends the right of older people to be treated as any other generation in health promotion and access to health resources. It believes that healthy ageing is not just about prolonging life. It is about:

- promoting the necessary means to enable older people to continue to participate in society, keeping good functions and being able to cope with daily life.

- promoting a positive and integrated approach to health that addresses a range of social, economic, housing, planning, transport and other relevant policies.

- creating enabling environments as well as direct approaches to promoting healthy behaviours.

AGE calls for a holistic and coordinated approach to health policy at all levels, along with adequate national policies, to ensure the healthy ageing of older people.

Contact person: Julia Wadoux, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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