As part of the Urban Governance for Health and Wellbeing Project, a meeting was held with the work team from the La Magdalena Contreras municipal government, who will be responsible for implementing the DIABFRAIL-LATAM Program in their area.
This meeting took place at the offices of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representation in Mexico. During the meeting, the municipality reaffirmed its commitment to the PAHO project, which aims to implement interventions designed to improve the functionality and quality of life of older adults with diabetes.
The meeting featured virtual participation from Patricia Morsch, PAHO Regional Advisor on Healthy Aging, and Samir Aruachan, a professor at the Institute of Healthy Aging at Javeriana University in Colombia, along with staff from PAHO/WHO in Mexico.
DIABFRAIL-LATAM Meeting Since joining the Movement of Healthy Municipalities, Cities, and Communities (MCCS) of the Region of the Americas in October 2024, the municipality has worked diligently to align its policies and practices with the regional standards set by PAHO/WHO. This effort has been crucial in improving community health and wellbeing, focusing on health promotion, social determinants of health, equity, and comprehensive wellbeing.
The world’s population is aging rapidly, with a significant increase in the number and proportion of older adults. By 2025, it is estimated that there will be over 1.2 billion older people globally.
The World Health Organization defines healthy aging as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” This functional ability includes health-related attributes that allow a person to do what they value.
Older adults with diabetes are more susceptible to functional decline and disability. This vulnerability is due not only to the microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes but also to potentially modifiable factors such as poor glycemic control, sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass, strength, and function), frailty, low physical activity, oxidative stress, falls, and fractures.
In response to these challenges, the municipality has strengthened its efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, ranging from balanced nutrition to regular physical activity and stress management. Additionally, community programs and activities have been implemented to encourage healthy habits, fostering a more health-conscious and proactive community.
La Magdalena Contreras will incorporate the principles of the DIABFRAIL-LATAM Program into its community health policies, focusing on the early detection and prevention of diabetes, as well as the care of the elderly population. This includes educational and support programs for people with diabetes, and promoting physical activity and proper nutrition to prevent frailty among older adults.
In doing so, the municipality is emerging as a model of a healthy community in the region, aiming to improve the quality of life for its residents, reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, and enhance overall wellbeing, especially among the most vulnerable groups. Additionally, it remains committed to implementing sustainable health policies and working closely with PAHO/WHO to share experiences and best practices.
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