Elder Abuse as An Emergent Public Health Problem: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Perspective, Prevention Efforts, and Key Partnerships

Elder abuse and neglect constitute an emergent threat to America's public health. These forms of maltreatment occur in institutional and community settings, fostering inhumane living conditions, damaging mental health, and increasing incidents of illness, injury, and mortality among the elderly. It has been projected that the incidence of abuse and neglect may increase as the aging of the Baby Boom generation enlarges the size of America's elderly population. Such an increase would also entail further cumulative reductions in the health and well-being of this population. Despite the ominous nature of these changes, there are fields of knowledge and practice with the insights, skills and abilities to address their occurrence and consequences. This presentation is one of four to be delivered on behalf of national organizations (i.e. the National Center for Elder Abuse, the National Institute of Justice, and the National Adult Protective Services Association) that despite their differences in perspectives are united in their effort to prevent, halt, and raise awareness regarding elder abuse and neglect. It provides an overview of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's strategic action plan for healthy older adults and the Division of Violence Prevention's efforts to advance the agency's goal of increasing the number of older adults who live long, high-quality, productive, and independent lives. It also outlines ways that the field of public health can partner with other fields and stakeholders to achieve greater alignment in approaching elder abuse and neglect.