WHO Unveils Ageism Scale to Tackle Global Health Inequalities
Geneva, Sunday, 30 March 2025.
The WHO Ageism Scale, launched on 28 April 2025, measures ageism’s impact on health, aiming to reduce its harmful effects on individuals and society.
Measuring the Impact of Age-Based Discrimination
The World Health Organization’s new initiative comes at a crucial time when age-related discrimination continues to pose significant challenges to public health and social well-being. The WHO Ageism Scale, launching on April 28, 2025, represents a first-of-its-kind measurement tool designed to monitor ageism levels worldwide and evaluate intervention effectiveness [1]. This comprehensive approach addresses how society thinks, feels, and acts towards individuals based on their age, targeting both stereotypes and discriminatory practices that affect health outcomes [1].
Legal Framework and Protection
The scale’s introduction aligns with existing legal protections against age discrimination. In many jurisdictions, age is recognized as a protected characteristic, with laws safeguarding individuals of all ages from discriminatory practices. For instance, current legislation covers various workplace scenarios, including hiring processes, professional development, and work-related social events [4]. The WHO scale will complement these legal frameworks by providing quantitative metrics to measure progress in combating ageism [1].
Community Impact and Implementation
The initiative’s practical implementation is already showing promising results through community-based programs. For example, organizations like Grandpas United demonstrate how addressing ageism can simultaneously benefit older adults and younger generations [6]. These programs have shown that engaging older adults in meaningful community roles not only combats isolation but also promotes better health outcomes through increased social interaction and purposeful activity [6].
Global Accessibility and Future Implications
To ensure maximum impact and accessibility, the WHO Ageism Scale will be available in all six UN languages - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish [1]. This multilingual approach reflects the global nature of ageism and the need for coordinated international efforts to address it. The scale will be particularly valuable for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals working to create age-inclusive environments and improve health outcomes across all age groups [1].