United Nations Healthy Ageing and Elder Abuse Initiative
Advancing dignity, safety, and healthy aging for older adults
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Multi-year effort dedicated to improving how elder abuse is recognized, addressed, and prevented in underserved communities.
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Launched in response to the need for stronger evidence, community-centered education, and more practical, culturally responsive approaches to elder protection.
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Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Decade of Healthy Aging
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Brings together research, education, and community-centered innovation to support the safety, dignity, and well-being of older adults.
What is elder abuse?
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Elder abuse is a serious and often underrecognized public health and human rights issue. It can include physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect, often occurring in relationships where trust is expected. Its effects can be severe, contributing to injury, psychological distress, depression, greater healthcare needs, and increased mortality risk.
World Health Organization. Abuse of older people.World Health Organization. Decade of Healthy Ageing: Baseline report.United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. WEAAD 2022: Combatting Elder Abuse: What’s next? Five key priorities.Yon Y, Mikton CR, Gassoumis ZD, Wilber KH. Elder abuse prevalence in community settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Yon Y, Ramiro-Gonzalez M, Mikton CR, Huber M, Sethi D. The prevalence of elder abuse in institutional settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Van Royen K, De Donder L, De Witte N, et al. Elder Abuse Assessment Tools and Interventions for Use in the Home Environment: A Scoping Review.United Nations General Assembly. United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).World Health Organization. New WHO resource highlights five priorities for ending abuse of older people.
1 in 6 older adults experience some form of abuse.
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The true burden is likely higher because many cases go unreported.
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These challenges can be especially pronounced in underserved and lower-resource communities, where access to care, protection, and prevention services may be limited.
Our Aims
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Strengthening understanding of elder abuse detection across healthcare and community settings
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Advancing practical and culturally responsive approaches for diverse and underserved populations
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Translating research and collaboration into meaningful real-world impact
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Promoting self-sufficiency, education, and community awareness for older adults and caregivers
Community Education and Outreach
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In addition to research and partnership work, we support older adults and caregivers through outreach and educational materials that promote healthy ageing, resource awareness, and greater self-sufficiency.
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This work reflects our broader belief that prevention includes not only recognizing harm, but also strengthening the everyday supports that help older adults remain safe, informed, and connected.
Why Our Work Matters
Every older adult deserves to age with dignity, respect, and safety. Yet, too many barriers still stand in the way of early recognition and meaningful support.
These challenges can be especially significant in underserved, multilingual, and resource-constrained communities.
Prevention requires more than awareness alone. It requires stronger public health attention, better education, practical tools, and community-based support systems that help older adults remain safe, informed, and empowered.
United Nations Alignment
UN Decade of Healthy Aging
By emphasizing the importance of dignity, inclusion, integrated care, and environments that allow older adults to live safely and well.
SDG 3
Good Health and Well-Being
By promoting healthier, safer, and more informed approaches to elder protection and healthy aging.
SDG 10
Reduced Inequality
​By recognizing that caregiving, vulnerability, and abuse can intersect with gender and social inequality.
SDG 5
Gender Equality
By focusing on communities that may face barriers to healthcare, protection, and support.
SDG 16
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
By contributing to stronger awareness, response pathways, and systems of protection for older adults.ick here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Highlights and Milestones
Academic and community collaboration
We are a proud partner with the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Master of Public Health Program and Western University of Health Sciences’ Master of Science in Nursing Program to advance work related to elder abuse research, provider-informed planning, and public health education.
APHL 2026 Abstract Presentation
Work connected to this initiative was presented at the Association of Public Health Laboratires (APHL) 2026 Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, helping bring elder abuse and healthy ageing into a broader public health conversation.
Ongoing Scholarly Development
Wealth by Health Steps for Change Foundation continues to support research and scholarly work related to elder abuse screening and prevention, contributing to wider dialogue in public health, community health, and ageing-related fields.
Screening Innovation
As part of its longer-term vision, Wealth by Health Steps for Change Foundation aims to develop practical resources intended to support elder safety and future community-based implementation.