論WHO健康高齡化報告與台灣現況

Healthy Ageing Report of the World Health Organization and Current Situation in Taiwan

WHO於2015年發表高齡與健康報告，提出內在能力、生活功能等觀念，並定義健康高齡化為發展與維持生活功能以使高齡生活幸福的過程。透過強化健康照護服務、長期照顧系統、環境因子三面向來延緩內在能力喪失，並維持生活功能。2020年的報告書將生活功能從內在能力與環境中獨立，認為三者併列為健康高齡化的三大因子，提升生活功能則成為健康高齡化的中心思想。

本文介紹WHO提出最新的健康高齡化概念、評估方式及政策目標，並探討2015年及2020年報告書的差異。台灣的人口高齡化顯著，已成為重要健康議題，故台灣應在政策、社區及醫療系統實踐，透過系統性且全面性地介入，達成提升高齡者生活功能的目標。

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) published a report in 2015 on aging and health, proposing the concepts of intrinsic capacity and functional ability and defining healthy aging as the process of developing and maintaining life function for a happy life in old age. The report emphasized the importance of improving health care services, long-term care systems, and environmental conditions to delay the loss of intrinsic capacity and maintain life functions. In 2020, WHO updated its report on healthy aging with modified concepts, evaluation methods, and policy goals.

This article provides an overview of the latest concepts in healthy aging and discusses the differences between the 2015 and 2020 reports. The 2020 report defines the three major factors of healthy aging as intrinsic capacity, functional ability, and environmental factors, rather than separating them as in the 2015 report.

Health aging is not just a concern for the elderly but a challenge that everyone must face. It is important for all people to have their human rights protected, including the right to make independent decisions and participate in society with adequate life functions. The government should also establish strategies and create a friendly environment for this purpose.

Population aging Taiwan is and will remain a major health challenge. Not just the government but also communities and the healthcare system need to implement interventions systematically, comprehensively, and proactively with clear goals to improve the functional ability of the elderly population.