Officials from Iran’s State Welfare Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO) convened on June 22 to discuss strategies for enhancing care systems in response to a rapidly aging population. The session, hosted by the State Welfare Organization (SWO) in Tehran, focused on the implementation of integrated care models aimed at addressing the complex health and social needs of older adults.
The meeting highlighted the increasing proportion of elderly individuals, with projections indicating that nearly 30 percent of Iran’s population will be over the age of 60 by 2050. This demographic shift poses significant challenges for the country’s health and social infrastructure, necessitating proactive adaptations.
Central to the discussions was the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework, which emphasizes healthy aging through the maintenance of functional abilities that support well-being in later life. Unlike traditional approaches centered on treating specific diseases, ICOPE promotes a person-centered and community-based model of care. Jean Jabbour, WHO representative, introduced the second edition of the ICOPE care handbook, outlining a streamlined care pathway comprising four phases: community-based basic assessment, in-depth assessment in primary care, individualized care planning, and continuous monitoring.
Mohammad-Javad Hosseini, head of the SWO, underscored the urgency for Iran to strengthen its health and social care systems given the rapid demographic changes. He announced plans to pilot the ICOPE framework in four regions currently supported by the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program. This effort will be coordinated with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and receive technical assistance from WHO.
Participants agreed that successful implementation of integrated care requires intersectoral collaboration beyond the health sector. Jabbour emphasized the importance of linking health services with social welfare, housing, transportation, and community support systems to facilitate aging in place, ensuring that older people can live safely and comfortably within their communities. Community engagement was also highlighted as essential; empowering older individuals to participate actively in their care decisions and supporting family caregivers through targeted training were seen as key components for building a sustainable and humane care system.
Rahim Taqizadeh-Asl, Team Lead for Healthier Populations at the WHO Country Office, stressed the need to transform fragmented services into a coordinated, capacity-driven ecosystem. He pointed to multidisciplinary collaboration, community-based pathways, and the integration of digital tools as critical elements to maximize functional ability and uphold dignity and independence for older adults.
While acknowledging existing challenges such as service fragmentation, Jabbour expressed confidence in Iran’s resources and commitment to close gaps in elder care. WHO reaffirmed its support by offering technical assistance, including training healthcare workers and adapting digital self-management resources to the local context.
The session concluded with a joint pledge to recognize older adults as individuals with rich life experiences who deserve dignified, independent, and respectful aging.