HelpAge International launched the health needs assessment of the older people in Jordan

Amman, Tuesday 9 March 2021, HelpAge International launched the health needs assessment that examined the health needs of older women and men in Jordan. This came during an electronic ceremony organized by HelpAge International, today, Tuesday, with the participation of representatives from civil society institutions, local, national, and international organizations, and the private sector. The study, which was conducted by HelpAge International in cooperation with the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, aims to help achieve a broader understanding and raise awareness about the comprehensive health needs of older people; Jordanians and Syrians aged 60 years and above. In Jordan, the study was implemented to inform partners at the governmental and humanitarian levels about the most prominent health challenges facing this marginalized group. The study, which was conducted through face-to-face interviews with older men and women during the month of August 2020, revealed those axes: access to health services, mental health, nutrition, disability, activities of daily living, and perceptions on public health.

The results were as follows: 74% of all respondents need help in all activities of daily living, 48% of all respondents do not have health insurance,71% of all respondents have at least one chronic disease that requires regular treatment, 43% of Jordanian respondents are more likely to have severe mental disorders compared to 59% of Syrians, nearly 98% of all respondents had some type of disability and only 2% had no disabilities, according to the Washington Mental and Physical Health Scale and , 63% of the Syrian respondents depend on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The assessment was discussed by representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health, the National Council for Family Affairs, in addition to HelpAge International. An open discussion was conducted with all guests about the study and the details that were addressed by the attendees and the representative committee. The participants recommended continuing efforts to promote the rights of older women and men in Jordan and to promote policies that support the preservation of their rights and well-being.

Overall, the event is part of "Leaving no one behind project- phase II” funded by the German government through HelpAge International's Knowledge and Resource hub in Jordan, which is keen to implement and support comprehensive initiatives in the field of resilience and social cohesion, to enhance age inclusive interventions in local, national, and international organizations in addition to private sector institutions and the government.