Yongjie Yon

Ambassador

Yongjie Yon, PhD, is a gerontologist and public health specialist who has spent his career advancing healthier, more inclusive ways of ageing. His work spans healthy ageing, age-friendly environments and communities, elder abuse prevention, ageism, and prevention and health promotion, with a strong focus on turning evidence into practical action.

His journey in ageing began in Canada, first through psychology and gerontology, and later through policy work with the Government of Canada. He holds a PhD in Gerontology from the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and a Master’s degree in Gerontology from Simon Fraser University. His graduate research was supported by fellowships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Over the years, Yongjie has worked across research, government and international public health, collaborating with governments, communities, researchers, civil society and older persons. He currently works with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, supporting healthy ageing across countries and communities in the Region.

In 2024, he received Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for his contributions to healthy ageing. Across his work, one idea has remained constant: ageing is not simply about adding years to life, but creating the conditions for people to live those years with health, dignity, connection and purpose.