The Clinical Consortium on Healthy Ageing (CCHA), a prestigious global forum established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015, continues to play a vital role in advancing research and clinical practices related to healthy ageing. With the aim of addressing the challenges and opportunities related to aging populations worldwide, the CCHA convenes once a year to foster collaboration among experts across various sectors. The most recent meeting, held virtually from November 5 to 7, 2024, brought together around 80 participants from all WHO regions. Notably, 40% of the attendees hailed from low- and middle-income countries, a testament to the Ageing and Health Unit’s ongoing efforts to amplify engagement with experts from these regions.
The meeting’s overarching objectives centered around enhancing the understanding of biological processes affecting aging, promoting personalized care, and addressing the integration of care for older populations, particularly in low-resource settings. Several key areas were highlighted during the event, including the biological mechanisms underlying age-related decline in intrinsic capacity, the impact of multimorbidity (the coexistence of multiple diseases), and the importance of innovative research in improving care for older adults.
One crucial topic was the role of multimorbidity in designing personalized care plans. As individuals age, the likelihood of multiple chronic conditions increases, making it essential to develop tailored strategies that address the diverse needs of older populations. The discussions also explored how integrated care models can better serve older people in low-resource settings, where access to healthcare services can be limited.
The 2024 CCHA meeting was structured around six main panels, each focusing on a different aspect of healthy ageing. These panels brought together 17 expert speakers from academia, civil society, and WHO to present their findings and insights.
- Panel 1: Palliative Care and Quality of Dying
This panel marked a significant step for the CCHA, as it was the first to focus on palliative care. Discussions centered on WHO’s ongoing work in this area and its intersection with ageing, emphasizing the importance of quality end-of-life care. The session highlighted the need for a continuous, integrated care approach to support people in the final stages of life, ensuring dignity and comfort. - Panel 2: Biomarkers and Intrinsic Capacity
This session delved into the genetic and epigenetic factors influencing intrinsic capacity an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities. Presenters explored research on biomarkers that could help predict and manage the ageing process, offering potential breakthroughs in public health interventions. - Panel 3: Multimorbidity
The focus here was on geroscience, which aims to understand the biological drivers of aging and their links to diseases. The panel also addressed the challenges multimorbidity presents in terms of care delivery and the need for more holistic approaches to health management for older adults. - Panel 4: Integrated Care in Low-Resource Settings
One of the central topics of the meeting, this panel explored how to adapt integrated care models for older people in resource-constrained environments. The session featured real-world examples from Kenya, Mexico, and Thailand, offering valuable insights into effective strategies and practices that can be scaled to other regions. - Panel 5: Climate Change and Ageing
Given the growing urgency of climate change, this panel focused on its impact on older populations, particularly in relation to heat stroke, one of the most researched climate-related risks. Discussions included WHO’s ongoing work to address the health consequences of climate change for vulnerable groups, especially older adults. - Panel 6: Research on Care for Older People
This panel continued the discussion from the 2023 meeting on research priorities for older populations. Presenters discussed research on healthy ageing for people living with HIV, highlighting the intersection between ageing and specific health conditions.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on potential opportunities for future action and collaboration. Key areas identified for further exploration included improving the quality of palliative care for older people, expanding longitudinal research on healthy ageing in low- and middle-income countries, and strengthening the capacity of health workers in person-centred care. Additionally, the consortium emphasized the need for research on the economic case for integrated care and the impact of climate change on older populations.
In early 2025, a full report on the 2024 CCHA meeting will be released, offering a comprehensive overview of the discussions, insights, and proposed actions from this important gathering.
As the global population continues to age, the work of the CCHA is more crucial than ever. Its commitment to advancing research, promoting innovation, and ensuring that older people receive the care they deserve is paving the way for a healthier, more inclusive future for all.
