NEW YORK CITY, May 7– Alex Kalache, PhD, former Head of the Ageing and Life Course Programs at the World Health Organization (WHO), has been appointed Senior Advisor to the President on Global Ageing at The New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Kalache represents NYAM on aging issues, is establishing and enhancing international links, co-directing specific projects adopting age-friendly approaches and is supporting NYAM’s efforts in mainstreaming aging throughout its divisions to ensure the most collaborative efforts on this important issue.

Ageing is one of the central themes across NYAM with several projects taking place. In June, 2007 a partnership with the City Council, NYAM launched the Age-Friendly NYC initiative, guided by a protocol developed by the World Health Organization and Dr. Kalache’s office to assess the city’s age-friendliness in eight key areas from housing to transportation. In the spring a blueprint for improvement will be presented as recommendations for policy makers.

Dr. Kalache has appeared recently in Este Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people and was featured on BBC World America featuring ageing issues on a global scale. Previously, Dr. Kalache served as founder and head of the Epidemiology of Aging Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where from 1984 to 1995 he launched a series of international short courses on the implications for Public Health of Population Aging. These courses were replicated by several countries resulting in the establishment of a global network of researchers under his coordination. While at the LSHTM, Dr. Kalache was also responsible for setting up the first European Masters of Science course on Health Promotion. The framework adopted for this initiative was used as a base for the development of the WHO Program under his direction firmly centered on a healthy aging/life course perspective.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit institution whose mission is to enhance the health of the public. Its research, education, community engagement, and evidence-based advocacy seek to improve the health of people living in cities, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The impact of these initiatives reaches into neighborhoods in New York City, across the country, and around the world. It works with community based organizations, academic institutions, corporations, the media, and government to catalyze and contribute to changes that promote health.

Posted on 05/07/2008

Contact:
Malini Doddamani
Director of Communications
mdoddamani@nyam.org
212.822.7285