Active Aging for World Health Day

Encouraging the elderly to remain active is the emphasis of this year’s World Health Day. Belize is joining 191 countries around the globe in observing the day and holding special activities this weekend. The highlight will be a walk for seniors. According to the Ministry of Health the average life expectancy in Belize is between 72 and 74 years. But there has also been a significant increase over the past two years in the number of people over the age of 80. The Ministry says that it is not enough to simply provide medical care for our seniors. We must also strengthen policies that guarantee the elderly access to shelter, food, entertainment, and fulfillment in this stage of their lives. Today News Five spoke to the Pan American Health Organization’s Doctor Graciela Uriburu to find out more about World Health Day and the theme chosen for this year.

Dr. Graciela Uriburu, PAHO/WHO Representative

“It celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the World Health Organization and we take advantage of this anniversary by gathering all of us and trying to achieve the common goal of health for all.

This year the theme chosen is, “Active Aging”. That means that active aging makes a difference between old people and every single person.”

Uriburu says that PAHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health to help improve health services in Belize. The walk will take place at the Memorial Park on Saturday April tenth at seven a.m. and will include a Health Information Fair.