As world population reaches seven billion (October 31), HelpAge International applaud the United Nations Population Fund, (State of the World Population, 2011) for dispelling harmful myths about ageing.

On Saturday, October 1st, people around the world celebrated the UN International Day of Older Persons and the fifth year of HelpAge's Age Demands Action campaign to support older people's rights and stop age discrimination.

Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as cancers, dementia and diabetes are commonly thought of as "diseases of affluence". In reality four-fifths of deaths from NCDs are in low- and middle-income countries and older people in developing countries are particularly at risk.

HelpAge International is distributing cash grants to older people affected by the East Africa drought so they can buy food.

As millions are going hungry in East Africa, HelpAge is stepping up its emergency response for older people in Ethiopia and Kenya.