Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121438

Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH, School of Rural Public Health - Department of Social and Behavioral Health, Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 310, Bryan, TX 77802, Joseph R. Sharkey, PhD, MPH, RD, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, 1103 University Drive, Suite 203, College Station, TX 77840, (979) 458-4268, jrsharkey@srph.tamushsc.edu, Rebecca Hunter, MEd, Program on Aging, UNC School of Medicine, 141 Mac Nider Hall, chapel Hill, NC 27599, Chanam Lee, PhD, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A &M University System Health Sciences Center, 1103 University Drive, Suite 203, College Station, TX 77840, William A. Satariano, PhD, Center for Public Health Practice, University of California, Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, and Kathy Sykes, MPA, Office of Children's Health Protection/Aging Initiative, US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Mail Code 1107A, Washington, DC 20460.

Emerging research illustrates the ways in which aging, health and environment are intertwined and the ways in which positive environments can facilitate healthy aging. Yet, for many older adults, the achievement and maintenance of good nutrition, health, functioning, and improved quality of life is a considerable challenge. This is especially dramatic for older individuals who reside in low income, minority, or rural communities. These disparities can be lessened by the identification (and modification) of critical aspects of the environment accessibility, availability, and affordability of senior friendly housing, healthful food, and physical activity. This panel will provide several illustrations of ways that environments can be assessed and modified for improved nutrition, physical and overall disease prevention and management.

Learning Objectives:

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Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.