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184691 Environment, health and aging: Promising new directions

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 1:06 PM

Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH , School of Rural Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Health, College Station, TX
Kathy Sykes , Aging Initiative, US EPA, Washington, DC
Kathryn M. Lawler, MPP , Aging Division, Atlanta Regional Commission, New Orleans, LA
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, PhD , Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cathy Liles, MPH , School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX
William Satariano, PhD , School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Session Abstract

Co-chairs: Marcia Ory and Kathy Sykes

Environmental influences on health and aging are now well documented. This symposium will describe how national efforts have stimulated community action toward building healthy communities for active aging, providing specific case examples. The EPA has been instrumental in leading an effort to recognize community achievements in merging smart growth and active aging. Case examples from two award winning communities –the Atlanta Regional Commission in Georgia and Brazos Valley in Texas will be highlighted. Additionally, examples from the National Blueprint of successful mini-grant coalitions that raised physical activity levels and increased access to community-based physical activity programs will be presented. Finally, a local example of creating a community coalition to establish community gardens that can increase physical activity and variety of available fresh foods will also be presented. Symposium panelists will discuss their own projects as well as major opportunities and challenges for furthering this national movement. A national expert in environment, health and aging will serve a discussant.

Speakers:

Kathy Sykes: Local Planning Strategies to Create Healthy and Physically Active Communities for Older Adults (183557)

Kathyrn Lawler: Lifelong Communities: Promoting Healthy Aging in the Atlanta Region" (183734)

Marcia Ory: Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging: The Brazos Valley (183332)

Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko: Promoting Physical Activity through Community Interventions: The U.S.A National Blueprint Mini-Grants (184111)

Cathy Liles: Planning to Build Healthy Community Gardens: What it takes to initiate and sustain such efforts (184682)

Discussant: William A. Satariano:

Contact person: Marcia Ory (mory@srph.tamhsc.edu (979-458-1373)

Learning Objectives:
1) Learn about national efforts to promote healthy communities for active aging 2) Recognize factors involved in mobilizing local efforts

Keywords: Aging, Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: expertise in aging, health and environment
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Environment and Aging
See more of: Gerontological Health