World Health Day is April 7. This year’s theme celebrates ageing, while bringing awareness about the increasing importance and possibility of ageing healthfully. According to the World Health Organization, remaining healthy into old age begins at a younger age – we must practice healthy habits throughout life in order to ‘lead full and productive lives and be a resource for [our] families and communities.’ The World Health Organization is promoting this idea with this year’s World Health Day slogan, “Good health adds life to years.”

The world’s demographics are changing quickly – older people are beginning to outnumber children, and the average life expectancy is increasing. As a result, countries around the world will face unique health and social challenges. In particular, the increasingly ageing population will cause a strain on healthcare systems around the world. In order to help decrease the demand for healthcare, each individual needs to take charge of their own personal health. Doing so, as is shown in the World Health Organization’s promotional posters, can not only make you be healthier overall and live longer, it can also help you be more active and get more out of life as you age. This campaign is also meant to inspire people to challenge the stereotypes of ageing.

In this video, the World Health Organization promotes human rights and anti-discrimination by challenging common stereotypes of ageing, while also emphasizing the importance of older people in our communities as well as providing tips for ageing better.

For more information on ageing and health, visit the World Health Organization’s World Health Day 2012 website.