Ageism refers to the stereotyping of, and discrimination against, a person or group on the basis of their age. While ageism is often thought of as something affecting only older people, it is also used against young people. Ageist language and behaviour are found in many areas of life, including health and social care, the workplace, the legal system, politics, technology and the media.
A report published by the UN World Health Organization in March 2021 found that ageism is a global problem. It results in huge personal and economic costs, both to individuals and to societies. Among older people, ageism is associated with poorer physical and mental health, increased social isolation and loneliness, financial insecurity, decreasing quality of life and premature death. For younger people, ageism is often found in the workplace and the housing market, and in politics where they often have difficulty getting their views heard and taken note of.
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