New report links ageism to serious healthcare harms

A new AHRC report has found older Australians feel dismissed and stereotyped in healthcare, risking access to life-saving care.

Published: 8 December 2025
  • national
  • 8 December 2025
  • Australian Human Rights Commission

A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission into ageism in health settings has found that:

  • Older Australians are being treated unfairly, often ignored, stereotyped or excluded from decisions about their own care.

  • Ageism in the health system can seriously harm health, leading to worse outcomes, slower recovery and even earlier death.

The Commission is calling for urgent reform, including better training, inclusive care models, and more research to tackle age bias.