Ageism

Abstract This article explores ageism and age‐based discrimination in the context of global population ageing. It accomplishes this by (1) situating ageism in historical, psychological, global, epidemiological and health systems contexts; (2) distinguishing implicit and explicit forms of ageism and ethical arguments supporting age discrimination; (3) considering how ageism intersects with ableism, sex‐based discrimination, heterosexism, racism and midlife bias and (4) exploring evidence‐based strategies for combatting ageism. Key Concepts Ageism is negative stereotyping based on age. In wealthier nations, ageism is more frequently directed against older adults. In poorer nations, ageism is more often directed toward younger people. Ageism intersects with other forms of bias, such as ableism, gender-based bias, heterosexism, racism, and midlife bias. Age discrimination or favoring an individual or group based on age is sometimes defended on ethical grounds, such as utilitarian arguments designed to show that older people produce less return on investment or non-utilitarian arguments that after a certain age an individual has lived a fair number of innings.