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

Abstract #122017

Rebecca Hunter, MEd, Program on Aging, UNC School of Medicine, 141 Mac Nider Hall, chapel Hill, NC 27599, (919) 966-5945 x267, rhh@med.unc.edu

Today, we acknowledge that physical activity and social engagement are two of the most important factors contributing to healthy aging. In addition, we accept that mobility, or being able to go where you want to go, is vital to independence and well-being. We look to safe, attractive and walkable neighborhoods to afford opportunities to be physically and socially active and to get to desirable destinations. Increasingly, research points to factors that are important to the safety, attractiveness and walkability of neighborhoods; now the challenge is to translate that research to practice.

This presentation will share findings and lessons learned from a community-campus partnership focused on healthy communities for older adults. Researchers, community members, and senior-serving organizations are collaborating to study the community, to identify environmental and other factors that support or present barriers to older adult physical activity, social engagement, and mobility, and to articulate strategies to address issues. Key lessons include the desirability of multiple assessment methods, implications of the tremendous variability of the older adult population, and the need for practical and affordable strategies, especially with regard to retrofitting of older infrastructure. Discussion will include considerations for engagement of various stakeholders at the community, regional and state levels and development of policies and long-term plans.

Learning Objectives:

• tba

Keywords: Planning,

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.

Recorded presentation