WHO Webinar Focuses on Strengthening Pacific Health Systems for Ageing Populations, Featuring Tokelau

WHO and APO Convene on Ageing in Pacific Health Systems

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (APO), is hosting a webinar titled 'Ageing in the Pacific: Strengthening health systems and policies for population ageing'. The event, taking place on October 3, 2025, aims to address the critical need for Pacific island countries (PICs) to bolster their health systems in response to the unique challenges presented by their ageing populations.

The webinar highlights a significant demographic shift occurring across the Pacific region, characterized by longer life expectancy. This trend, coupled with persistent health system challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), has brought population ageing to the forefront of the regional policy agenda.

Demographic Shifts and Health System Pressures in the Pacific

Population ageing presents substantial and unique challenges for Pacific Island countries. The Western Pacific Region, in particular, is experiencing one of the largest and fastest-growing older populations globally, with the number of people aged 65 years and older projected to double by 2050. This demographic change places immense pressure on various aspects of health systems, including leadership, governance, financing, workforce, service delivery, and medical supplies.

A significant concern is the high prevalence of NCDs. The Pacific region records some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes worldwide. For instance, the first five countries globally with the highest prevalence of diabetes among individuals aged 20–79 years are all from the Pacific. This increasing burden of NCDs, alongside the growing older population, necessitates a transformation of health systems from episodic care to integrated, long-term, and person-centred support.

Tokelau: Navigating Unique Healthcare Challenges

The webinar specifically includes Tokelau, a dependent territory of New Zealand comprising three atolls—Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo—as a key focus area. Tokelau faces particularly acute healthcare challenges, primarily due to its small population of approximately 1,500 people and limited economic resources.

Health issues in Tokelau are predominantly driven by NCDs, with the nation having the highest prevalence of diabetes globally among 20-79 year olds, at a staggering 37.5%. Furthermore, about 75% of Tokelauns are obese, and nearly 50% smoke daily. Despite each atoll having a hospital with 12 beds, these facilities often lack basic technology like X-ray machines and specialized medical professionals. Patients requiring advanced or specialized care must travel offshore to Samoa or New Zealand. While Tokelau benefits from adequate per capita health financing through a grant from New Zealand, the escalating costs associated with NCDs and the need for workforce development remain significant bottlenecks.

Strategies for Strengthening Health Systems and Future Outlook

In response to these emerging issues, the APO has developed a Policy Brief titled 'Strengthening the health system response to population ageing in Pacific Island Countries'. This brief, created in collaboration with regional experts, identifies system-level pressures, policy gaps, and actionable strategies to ensure healthy ageing in resource-constrained and geographically dispersed settings. The webinar will delve into practical lessons and policy recommendations derived from this brief, aiming to foster more equitable and responsive health systems for older populations.

The discussions align with broader international initiatives such as the 'Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030', a global collaboration led by WHO and the United Nations, which seeks to improve the lives of older people, their families, and communities. The focus is on transforming health systems to address lifelong health needs, provide community-based integrated care, and foster innovation to support healthy ageing.