ABSTRACT
Populations across the world have been ageing at an unprecedented pace. Population ageing is an emerging reality for many countries. As in the rest of the world, the twin drivers for population ageing in the countries in Southeast Asia have been falling fertility levels and rising life expectancy. The bulk of theoretical and policy research on population ageing has focused on the disadvantages older persons (OPs) have experienced on different fronts – economic, social and health contexts. The disadvantages faced by OPs range from declining informal family support, increasing longevity and widespread poverty. According to the World Health Organization, the goal of the human rights-based approach is to ensure that all health policies, strategies and programmes are designed with the objective of improving individual's right to health. The chapter also presents some of the key concepts discussed in this book.
