COVID-19 and the Aging Population: Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel
December 3, 2020, 6:00 – 7:15 PM EST
Virtual Side Event at the 13th Session of the Conference of State Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
UN Headquarters, New York
Overview
Within the frameworks of the COSP, 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and in support of the United Nations 75th Anniversary, the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) has organized with the International Council for Caring Communities (ICCC) and other partners an international interactive session addressing a population needing attention as we reimagine the future. This session will explore the challenges and offer practical opportunities as a response to this rapidly increasing group often known as the AgeQuake!! the Silent Giant effected by COVID-19.
Since the first reported case of COVID-19 infection in December of 2019 from China, the COVID-19 virus has virulently spread throughout the seven continents. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2019. As of August 12, 2020, more than 20.2 million cases of COVID‑19 infections have been reported in more than 188 countries and territories, resulting in more than 741,000 deaths. The morbidity and mortality in the aging population were alarmingly high. Per CDC, approximately 92% of the COVID-19 deaths from February 1 to June 7, 2020, in the US came from the age group of 55 and over, and of these, approximately 2/3 came from the age group of 75 and over.
Actions will be identified to delineate, develop, scale-up and implement programs related to local cultures by exploring how a holistic approach, enhanced by technologies and innovation, can help to facilitate the improvement and enhance inclusive economic growth and social equity.
Recommendations suggested by speakers will be reviewed by the relevant organization, including government and medical decision-makers and United Nations bodies, and presented to related venues by enhancing awareness on related international hubs and stimulate new mindsets and intergenerational empowerment.
As we are all aware, our world is no longer one of the simple sovereign states or national self-interest but one of inclusive and open date, collaboration, innovation and private sector contributions to enhance today’s fast pace healthy solutions to the lives of COVID-19 patients.
This session also will include suggested solutions as we reimagine the post virus era.
Dr. Alexandre Sidorenko will address the COVID -19 infection and impact among older persons.
Dr. Naheed Van de Walle will discuss the rehabilitation of the seniors infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Areerat Suputtitada, will explore the impact on women and families.
Dr. Sam Wu will comment on the influence of the COVID-19 infection on a physician’s practice caring for the geriatric population.
Ms.Akiko Ito will elaborate on the UN’s response to COVID-19, with emphasis on the aging population.
All will address the next steps in finding solutions in caring for Older Persons. This will be followed by an open forum where the participants can ask questions and discuss with the experts on how to improve the lives of the older persons in these pandemic times.
Speakers
Chair – Bryan O’Young, MD, Professor and Vice-Chair of Education, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chair of UN Liaison Committee, International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)
Moderator – Dianne Davis, Ph.D.; President and Co-founder, International Council for Caring Communities (ICCC) NY, NY, USA
Lecturer – Alexandre Sidorenko, MD, Ph.D.; Senior Advisor, European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, Vienna, Austria ; Former Head, United Nations Programme on Ageing, UN Headquarters, New York, New York, USA
Lecturer – Naheed Van de Walle, MD; Attending Physician, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Lecturer – Areerat Suputtitada, MD, Professor and Advisor, Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Chair of Women and Health Task Force, ISPRM
Lecturer – Sam Wu, MD, MA, MPH, MBA, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Lecturer – Akiko Ito, MA, LLM; Chief Secretariat of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, UN Headquarters, New York, New York, USA