A new WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) has been established in Moscow, Russian Federation, to promote geriatrics and care for older people. The new CC will operate at the Russian Clinical and Research Centre of Gerontology (RCRCG) of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University.
The new CC’s designation comes amid a historic demographic shift affecting the entire WHO European Region, with the number of older adults, particularly those aged 80 and above, steadily rising. In 2024, the Region surpassed a significant milestone with older adults outnumbering children and adolescents for the first time.
In the Russian Federation, the same demographic transformation is evident, with forecasts indicating around 32 million individuals aged 65 and older by 2050, according to the World Social Report (2023) by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). This trend, which is expected to be reflected globally by 2050, highlights the urgent need to adapt our health and social systems, policies and communities to support ageing populations.
About the new Collaborating Centre
The RCRCG is the country’s leading institution in the scientific, methodological and therapeutic field of geriatrics, providing care to around 15 000 patients a year. The new CC’s activities will be dedicated to promoting geriatrics and the care of older adults, with a focus on delivering integrated primary and long-term care. Its terms of reference include designing and implementing innovative care models, fostering collaboration, and supporting professional training and education.
Additionally, the CC aims to advocate for and evaluate policies on healthy ageing and address the unique needs of older generations. Its mission aligns with the broader goals of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and the 2nd WHO European Programme of Work (EPW2), offering vital support to ageing populations in the Russian Federation and beyond.
“This centre represents a commitment to fostering innovative care models and policies that enhance the well-being and independence of older adults, ensuring they remain valued members of their communities,” said Dr Yongjie Yon, Technical Officer for Healthy Ageing at WHO/Europe. By leveraging its expertise, the centre promotes WHO approaches and programmes to empower older individuals to live with dignity, maintain their independence, and remain active members of their communities.
As the Region is tackling the reality of ageing, WHO/Europe is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that older people not only live longer but thrive in better health, proving the message that “ageing is living”.
Transforming care for older persons
Longevity is often regarded as a gift, yet it is accompanied by complexities. In response, the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing was launched as a global initiative, led by WHO, to improve the well-being of older individuals, their families and communities. Its priorities focus on equitable access to health care and long-term care services, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Long-term care encompasses a spectrum of personal, social and health services designed to help individuals maintain their independence and dignity. WHO emphasizes the integration of these services into broader health and social support systems with a seamless coordination among providers to ensure continuity of care.
While longer lifespans are a testament to advancements in health and medicine, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities and needs of older people, underscoring the importance of improving their quality of life.
Beyond health care, the environments in which people live play a vital role in shaping their ageing experience. Physical, social and economic conditions can significantly impact the ability of older adults to lead independent and fulfilling lives. WHO is championing the development of age-friendly environments that involve older individuals in co-creating solutions.