A/HRC/18/37 health systems also means ensuring the principles of equality and freedom from discrimination and the empowerment of all, including the poor, allowing for their participation in decision-making processes and incorporating accountability mechanisms which they can access. 11. The Special Rapporteur believes that the promotion and protection of human rights of older persons is not only in the interest of senior persons, but should also be of concern to everyone, because every person ages. The right to health will not provide a magic solution to these multifaceted challenges, but it will allow shifting the discourse on older persons from a needs-based approach to a rights-based one, and enable greater articulation of the rights of older persons. Health is a fundamental human right, indispensable for the exercise of many other rights. It is necessary for living a life in dignity. This is especially true for older persons, who are often perceived as a “lapsed” segment of society and are particularly vulnerable to infringements of their right to health. 12. The Special Rapporteur concedes that in order to be fully successful the right–tohealth approach to older persons should be accompanied by a paradigm shift with respect to how society perceives ageing and older persons. The World Health Organization defines ageing as the “process of progressive change in the biological, psychological and social structure of individuals”.8 Throughout the course of one’s life, the human body’s functional capacity declines from early adulthood to old age. However, increases in longevity also mean that older persons may stay active for a longer part of their lives than ever before, both in terms of occupational and non-occupational activities. Encouraging older persons to remain physically, socially and economically active for as long as possible will have benefits not only for the individual, but for society as a whole. 13. The Special Rapporteur believes that the dominant view, which considers ageing a biomedical problem, leads to the unfortunate perception of ageing as an abnormal or pathological phenomenon because it equates advanced age with illness. This position is not only inconsistent with the holistic approach to human health, but it also perpetuates a perception of older persons as dependent and sick. When considering the health of older persons, the Special Rapporteur is of the view that there must be a paradigm shift away from the perception of older persons as a “social burden” to one that emphasizes the process of “active ageing” and that will reorient our ideas about ageing to focus on the continuing contribution of older persons to society. According to WHO,9 active ageing aims to optimize opportunities for health, participation and security amongst older persons in order to enhance their quality of life. The word active therefore refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural and civic affairs, and not simply the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labour force. 14. Ageing should be perceived as the culmination of a lifetime of influences and choices. Healthy and active ageing occurs through health promotion and consistent delivery of primary health care throughout one’s life. The enjoyment of the right to health is not agedependent and does not cease once a person reaches a certain age. Older persons should be viewed as rights-holders, who will often require support in order to claim their rights. This requires States to take particular steps as part of the development and implementation of comprehensive health plans that must include various strategies to ensure that older persons have access to good quality health care, goods and services. In addition to this, economic accessibility to ensure affordability is also required by the right to health, which requires that States take steps to ensure that adequate social protection is provided to older persons. 8 9 World Health Organization, A life course perspective of maintaining independence in older age (WHO, Geneva, 1999), p. 4. “Active ageing: a policy framework”, WHO, April 2002, WHO/NMH/NPH/02.8. 5