Let’s talk about the very real target on the backs of people as they get older: Ageism

One of the first pieces of advice a friend gave me when I launched a career in journalism after leaving a marriage and raising a child was, “Don’t tell anyone your age.” And I’ve stuck with that. I’m conscious of even talking about my son’s age, not to mention my husband’s age. I’m afraid, like many people, in many careers, about aging out of my job.

But as I’m learning, feeling concerned about aging and how my job might be impacted is only a tiny part of the more significant impacts of ageism. It even plays a part in the global economy.

A 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) report found that older people who experience ageism have a shorter lifespan, poor physical and mental health, cognitive decline, and slower recovery from disabilities.

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