Age-friendly Universities (AFU): Combating and inoculating against ageism in a pandemic and beyond

Manifestations of ageism during the recent COVID-19 pandemic call for ways to combat persistent negative views of older adults and the disparities they fuel, especially in light of the aging of populations. We discuss the pioneering Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative that takes a systems-level approach and offers guiding principles for advancing age inclusivity, which in turn can combat and inoculate individuals against ageism. In particular, the principles advocate that older adults be enabled to participate in core educational activities in higher education for personal and professional development and that institutions extend aging education, research on aging, and intergenerational exchange. The need for educational institutions to be more age-friendly has become even more clear and pressing during the pandemic, where ageism has been exacerbated. Drawing on empirical evidence, we show how AFU principles can be applied to disrupt the roots of ageism and age biases, and disparities in healthcare and work environments. Connections between the AFU initiative and the Age-Friendly Communities, Age-Friendly Health Systems, and Age-Friendly Employers initiatives are suggested as a collective move toward a more age-inclusive ecosystem that fosters the well-being of all people as they age.