Strengthening Long-Term Care Systems: WHO's Strategic Approach and the Development of Global Standards

Population aging represents one of the most significant social transformations of our time, with profound implications for health systems, social protection, and intergenerational solidarity. By 2050, 1 in 6 people globally will be aged 60 years or older, with the fastest growth occurring in low- and middle-income countries least prepared to respond. Alongside demographic shifts, sociocultural transitions-urbanization, changing family structures, and increased women's labor participation-are fundamentally altering traditional caregiving arrangements. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed with devastating clarity the consequences of neglected long-term care (LTC) systems. The United Nations has recognized LTC as a global public health priority, establishing it as 1 of 4 action areas under the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030). Building on a decade of normative work-including the LTC System Framework and the LTC Service Package-World Health Organization is now advancing the development of Global Standards for LTC, with a consultation draft released in May 2026 and currently open for public input. The proposed standards address interconnected domains spanning foundational principles; service delivery across home, community, and residential settings; health and care workforce; support for unpaid carers; governance; financing; and quality monitoring. This article describes the strategic approach to strengthening LTC systems globally, presents the evolving Global LTC Standards framework, and outlines pathways for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and civil society to engage in shaping these standards. The implications extend across practice, policy, and research-offering opportunities to advance quality, equity, and sustainability in LTC worldwide.