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How systemic ageism in healthcare ‘hurting us all’

Picture of Ritchelle Drilon

Ritchelle Drilon

How systemic ageism in healthcare ‘hurting us all’

Picture of Ritchelle Drilon

Ritchelle Drilon

Australia’s peak older persons advocacy group says the nation’s push to reform its healthcare system must include concrete action to eliminate entrenched age bias, following the release of a new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The report, The age barrier: older adults’ experiences of ageism in health care, outlines widespread discrimination and presents a national plan to improve collaboration with the health sector, strengthen research, and raise public awareness.

COTA Australia Chief Executive Patricia Sparrow said the findings underline the urgency of addressing inequity across the health system as the population ages.

“Reports of older Australians being dismissed, overlooked or treated differently within the health system are unfortunately all too common,” Ms Sparrow said.

She said targeted reforms—including better training on ageism for frontline health staff—are essential to improving care quality and rebuilding trust.

“Practical steps such as improving training on ageism for frontline staff are important. This isn’t about pointing fingers at individuals – it’s about acknowledging the ageism that has been embedded in healthcare for decades and taking action to fix it.

“Responsibility to address ageism sits with government, businesses, the community as a whole and each of us individually.”

Sparrow said reforms would benefit all Australians, not only older people.

“Ageism hurts us all. If we improve our systems for older Australians, we improve the system for everyone. A health system that responds well to older people is a system that treats every patient with dignity, respect and evidence-based care.”

With Australians living longer, she said preventive care and early intervention must become central pillars of health planning.

“Without serious action, the inequities built into our current systems will persist and continue to make life harder for everyone, young and old.”

“If Australia commits to tackling ageism, we will be a more inclusive, cohesive and prosperous country.”

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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

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